How Clean Is Buchanan Lake?
Buchanan 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): 5.5 ft. Phosphorus: 22 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 12.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 52.
Cleanliness Snapshot
| Metric | Buchanan Lake | Minnesota avg |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Grade | C | C |
| Water Clarity (Secchi) | 5.5 ft | — |
| Phosphorus | 22 µg/L | <30 = clean |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 12.3 µg/L | <10 = clean |
| Trophic State Index | 52 | <50 = clean |
How does Buchanan Lake compare?
Buchanan Lake's grade of C matches or beats the Minnesota state average of C. It ranks #62 of 66 lakes in Otter Tail County by water quality score. Multi-year monitoring data shows water quality is improving based on 3 years of records.