Is Chippewa Lake Safe for Swimming?
Chippewa Lake in Douglas County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Water clarity: 14.8 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 14 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.5 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | A (Excellent) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 14.8 ft |
| Phosphorus | 14 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.5 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 95 ft |
| Location | Douglas County, Minnesota |
How does Chippewa Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of A, Chippewa Lake matches or beats the Minnesota state average of Grade C. It ranks #4 of 37 lakes in Douglas County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 14.8 feet. That counts as exceptional clarity — sunlight penetrates deep, supporting submerged plants and limiting algae. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 3.5 µg/L — low and well within safe swimming guidelines.