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qwesy qwesy · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Lakes → Florida → Crystal River

Crystal River

Florida · Spring-fed · near Crystal River

1,200 acres 15 ft deep 30 ft clarity Water A

Compare

7.2SCORE

Survey summary · Florida

1,200

Surface acres

15 ft

Max depth

8 mi

Shoreline

30 ft

Typical clarity

3 ft

Elevation

Photographs of Crystal River via Wikimedia Commons. Credit and licence on each image — hover to view, click through to the source.

Crystal River covers 1,200 acres in Florida and drops to 15 feet at its deepest point. Water clarity averages around 30 feet, placing it among the clearer bodies of water in the country. Short-term rental posture: Allowed with license. Confirm at the municipal level before underwriting rental income.

What stands out

Exceptional clarity, roughly 30 ft
Very stable water level year-round
Manatee swims
Scalloping

Score breakdown

Water 9.1

Recreation 6.4

Value 4.7

Access 5.3

Investment 9.3

Each axis is computed by published formula from this lake's own attributes. How we score.

Water quality grade

Water A

ExcellentClear, low-nutrient water. Typically oligotrophic with high clarity and little seasonal algae.

Water B

GoodHealthy water with moderate clarity. Some seasonal variation, no persistent problems.

Water C

FairProductive water — good fishing, reduced clarity. Algae possible in late summer.

Water D

PoorNutrient-rich or heavily drawn down. Swimmable conditions vary; check before you rely on them.

Computed from measured clarity, trophic state, and drawdown magnitude — not an opinion. See the formula.

Overall score, 1–10

8.0+

ExceptionalStrong on every axis we measure.

7.0–7.9

StrongClearly above average, usually with one standout axis.

6.0–6.9

SolidA good lake with a trade-off worth understanding.

5.0–5.9

MixedReal strengths and real compromises.

Under 5

CompromisedSomething material — volatility, water quality, or access.

Weighted: water 26% · recreation 22% · investment 20% · value 18% · access 14%.

Fishery

RedfishSnookTroutManatee viewing

On the water

Manatee swimsScallopingPaddlingDiving

Live from USGS gauge 02310650. These are direct sensor readings, not estimates.

22.90 deg C

Temperature

2025-11-14 · 263 days old

1.94 ft

Gage height

2026-08-04

Gauge history

Daily values from USGS. Loading up to one year.

Where it is

Location

No NHD boundary matched this water body, so the marker shows the mapped centre point.

Depth profile

Idealized cross-section. Max depth 15 ft, average 5 ft. Depth at a specific dock depends on local bathymetry — verify at the property.

Level behaviour

Level stabilityStable Typical drawdown0 ft Drawdown seasonNone Trophic stateOligotrophic Typical clarity30 ft Water quality gradeA Elevation3 ft Managing authorityFL DEP

Dock & shoreline

Permitting authorityFL DEP / FWC Wake / speed rulesIdle in manatee zones

A dock is never guaranteed. Confirm in writing with FL DEP / FWC that the specific parcel is eligible before you remove contingencies.

Short-term rental posture

Allowed with license

Generally permitted, but rules change. Confirm the specific municipality and any HOA covenant.

Model rental income →

Modeled estimates. Market figures are derived from lake attributes and regional patterns, not from MLS data. Treat them as a starting point, not a comp.

$690,000

Median waterfront

$3,003

Per shoreline foot

+4.5%

Year over year

199

Est. inventory

155

Avg days on market

$741

Est. nightly rate

Rental snapshot

Modeled occupancy41% Booked nights / yr108 Gross revenue$86,070 Net operating income$43,937 Yield on median price6.37%

Open the full model →

What a median-priced home on Crystal River actually costs to carry, with waterfront-specific line items most calculators omit.

$5,675

All-in per month

$157,810

Cash to close + setup

$14,330

Beyond P&I, tax, insurance

Where the annual cost goes

Principal & interest $43,626 (65%) Maintenance reserve (1.1%) $7,590 (11%) Property taxes $7,245 (11%) Hazard insurance $2,898 (4%) Utilities $2,700 (4%) Shoreline / seawall reserve $960 (1%) Dock maintenance $900 (1%) Winterization / seasonal close $750 (1%)

Annual carry

Principal & interest	$43,626
Property taxes	$7,245
Hazard insurance	$2,898
Flood insurance	$650
Utilities	$2,700
Maintenance reserve (1.1%)	$7,590
Septic service	$520
Well & water testing	$260
Dock maintenance	$900
Winterization / seasonal close	$750
Shoreline / seawall reserve	$960
Total	$68,099

Model your own numbers →

5.0 / 5 from 1 review

The fishing is the reason we stayed

Danielle S. · Owner on the lake · Summer 2026

5/5

Smallmouth and walleye both fish well. Water clarity has held up over the fifteen years we have been here, which I credit to the watershed protections.