Is Big Mcdonald Lake Safe for Swimming?
Big Mcdonald Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota has nutrient and algae measurements on record from state and federal monitoring. A water-quality reading is not a swimming clearance. The state water agency and county health departments post current advisories; check them before you swim.. Water clarity: 17.4 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 12 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.2 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 17.4 ft |
| Phosphorus | 12 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.2 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 46 ft |
| Location | Otter Tail County, Minnesota |
How does Big Mcdonald Lake compare?
With an overall water-quality readings of —, Big Mcdonald Lake matches or beats the Minnesota state average. It ranks #13 of 66 lakes in Otter Tail County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 17.4 feet. That counts as exceptional clarity — sunlight penetrates deep, supporting submerged plants and limiting algae. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 3.2 µg/L — low and well within safe swimming guidelines.
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