Is East Toqua Lake Safe for Swimming?
East Toqua Lake in Big Stone County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of F (Very Poor). Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins. Water clarity: 1.6 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 703 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 33.7 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | F (Very Poor) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.6 ft |
| Phosphorus | 703 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 33.7 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 9 ft |
| Location | Big Stone County, Minnesota |
How does East Toqua Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of F, East Toqua Lake falls below the Minnesota state average of Grade C. It ranks #2 of 2 lakes in Big Stone County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 1.6 feet. That signals heavy algae or sediment, often tied to high phosphorus from runoff. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 33.7 µg/L — elevated; risk of harmful algal bloom advisories increases at this concentration.