Is Clear Lake Safe for Swimming?
Clear Lake in Jackson County, Minnesota 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: 1.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 90.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 44 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.5 ft |
| Phosphorus | 90.5 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 44 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 9 ft |
| Location | Jackson County, Minnesota |
How does Clear Lake compare?
With an overall water-quality readings of —, Clear Lake runs above the Minnesota state average. It ranks #4 of 6 lakes in Jackson County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 1.5 feet. That signals heavy algae or sediment, often tied to high phosphorus from runoff. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 44 µg/L — elevated; risk of harmful algal bloom advisories increases at this concentration.
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