How Clean Is Bowstring Lake?
Bowstring Lake has fair water quality — typical of lakes with moderate nutrient enrichment. It received a water quality grade of C (Fair) based on EPA monitoring data. Water clarity (Secchi depth): 8 ft. Phosphorus: 38.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 12.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 53.
Cleanliness Snapshot
| Metric | Bowstring Lake | Minnesota avg |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Grade | C | C |
| Water Clarity (Secchi) | 8 ft | — |
| Phosphorus | 38.5 µg/L | <30 = clean |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 12.5 µg/L | <10 = clean |
| Trophic State Index | 53 | <50 = clean |
How does Bowstring Lake compare?
Bowstring Lake's grade of C matches or beats the Minnesota state average of C. It ranks #56 of 72 lakes in Itasca County by water quality score. Multi-year monitoring data shows water quality is declining based on 6 years of records.