USLakeFront Lake survey & intelligence

Lakes

For Sale

Tools

Research

Learn

Pros Shop Sign in Create account

Xrzt · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Lakes → Florida → Lake Tarpon

Lake Tarpon

Florida · Natural · near Palm Harbor

2,534 acres 10 ft deep 4 ft clarity Water D

Compare

5.2SCORE

Survey summary · Florida

2,534

Surface acres

10 ft

Max depth

10 mi

Shoreline

4 ft

Typical clarity

3 ft

Elevation

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

Lake Tarpon covers 2,534 acres in Florida and drops to 10 feet at its deepest point. It is a natural lake, which generally means a more stable shoreline and fewer drawdown surprises than an impoundment. Level is unusually stable, which protects dock usability and shoreline appearance year round. Clarity is limited, which is typical of productive fisheries but worth seeing in person if you are swimming daily. Short-term rental posture: Restricted in unincorporated. Confirm at the municipal level before underwriting rental income.

What stands out

Very stable water level year-round
Fishing
Boating

Watch outs

Nutrient-rich water; seasonal algae blooms are possible
Short-term rental rules are restrictive — do not assume rental income

Score breakdown

Water 4.1

Recreation 5.5

Value 6.6

Access 6.1

Investment 4.5

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

Largemouth bassBluegillCatfish

On the water

FishingBoatingBirding

No USGS gauge on this lake. Water level and clarity figures below come from published lake management data rather than a live sensor.

Where it is

True shoreline from USGS NHD 10 km²

The outline is this lake's actual boundary from the USGS National Hydrography Dataset, not an approximation — 178 boundary points. Basemap is USGS topographic with contours and hydrography. Switch layers at the top right.

Depth profile

Idealized cross-section. Max depth 10 ft, average 3 ft. Depth at a specific dock depends on local bathymetry — verify at the property.

Level behaviour

Level stabilityStable Typical drawdown2 ft Drawdown seasonSpring Trophic stateEutrophic Typical clarity4 ft Water quality gradeD Elevation3 ft Managing authorityPinellas County

Dock & shoreline

Permitting authorityPinellas County Wake / speed rulesIdle near shore

A dock is never guaranteed. Confirm in writing with Pinellas County that the specific parcel is eligible before you remove contingencies.

Short-term rental posture

Restricted in unincorporated

Restrictions apply and vary by jurisdiction. Verify at the municipal level before you offer.

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.

$400,000

Median waterfront

$1,253

Per shoreline foot

-1.3%

Year over year

Est. inventory

120

Avg days on market

$222

Est. nightly rate

Rental snapshot

Modeled occupancy62% Booked nights / yr163 Gross revenue$45,592 Net operating income$18,072 Yield on median price4.52%

Open the full model →

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

$3,526

All-in per month

$92,850

Cash to close + setup

$11,140

Beyond P&I, tax, insurance

Where the annual cost goes

Principal & interest $25,290 (62%) Maintenance reserve (1.1%) $4,400 (11%) Property taxes $4,200 (10%) Utilities $2,700 (7%) Hazard insurance $1,680 (4%) Shoreline / seawall reserve $960 (2%) Dock maintenance $900 (2%) Winterization / seasonal close $750 (2%)

Annual carry

Principal & interest	$25,290
Property taxes	$4,200
Hazard insurance	$1,680
Flood insurance	$650
Utilities	$2,700
Maintenance reserve (1.1%)	$4,400
Septic service	$520
Well & water testing	$260
Dock maintenance	$900
Winterization / seasonal close	$750
Shoreline / seawall reserve	$960
Total	$42,310