How Clean Is Lower Hay Lake?
Lower Hay 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): 18.5 ft. Phosphorus: 13 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 2.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 39.
Cleanliness Snapshot
| Metric | Lower Hay Lake | Minnesota avg |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Grade | A | C |
| Water Clarity (Secchi) | 18.5 ft | — |
| Phosphorus | 13 µg/L | <30 = clean |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2.7 µg/L | <10 = clean |
| Trophic State Index | 39 | <50 = clean |
How does Lower Hay Lake compare?
Lower Hay Lake's grade of A matches or beats the Minnesota state average of C. It ranks #3 of 85 lakes in Crow Wing County by water quality score. Multi-year monitoring data shows water quality is improving based on 6 years of records.