How Clean Is Bad Medicine Lake?
Bad Medicine Lake is among the cleanest lakes in Minnesota. It received a water quality grade of A (Excellent) based on EPA monitoring data. Water clarity (Secchi depth): 25 ft. Phosphorus: 6 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 1.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 32.
Cleanliness Snapshot
| Metric | Bad Medicine Lake | Minnesota avg |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Grade | A | C |
| Water Clarity (Secchi) | 25 ft | — |
| Phosphorus | 6 µg/L | <30 = clean |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 1.6 µg/L | <10 = clean |
| Trophic State Index | 32 | <50 = clean |
How does Bad Medicine Lake compare?
Bad Medicine Lake's grade of A matches or beats the Minnesota state average of C. It ranks #1 of 84 lakes in Becker County by water quality score. Multi-year monitoring data shows water quality is declining based on 6 years of records.