Is Buffalo Lake Safe for Swimming?
Buffalo Lake in Pierce County, North Dakota has nutrient and algae measurements on record from state and federal monitoring. Chlorophyll-a in the monitoring record runs high enough that algae is a factor. 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: 0.3 ft visibility. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 219.5 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 0.3 ft |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 219.5 μg/L |
| Location | Pierce County, North Dakota |
How does Buffalo Lake compare?
On nutrient and algae readings, Buffalo Lake runs above the North Dakota state average. It ranks #1 of 2 lakes in Pierce County on nutrient and algae readings.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 0.3 feet. That signals heavy algae or sediment, often tied to high phosphorus from runoff. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 219.5 µg/L — elevated; risk of harmful algal bloom advisories increases at this concentration.
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