Is Cottonwood Lake Safe for Swimming?
Cottonwood Lake in Lyon County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of F (Very Poor). Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins. Water clarity: 1.8 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 186 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | F (Very Poor) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.8 ft |
| Phosphorus | 186 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 7 ft |
| Location | Lyon County, Minnesota |
How does Cottonwood Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of F, Cottonwood Lake falls below the Minnesota state average of Grade C. It ranks #2 of 5 lakes in Lyon County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 1.8 feet. That signals heavy algae or sediment, often tied to high phosphorus from runoff.