Is French Lake Safe for Swimming?
French Lake in Rice County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of F (Algae-prone). Algae and nutrients are often high — check current advisories before swimming. Skip the water if you see scum or a paint-like bloom. Water clarity: 1.7 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 134 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 46.3 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | F (Algae-prone) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.7 ft |
| Phosphorus | 134 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 46.3 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 56 ft |
| Location | Rice County, Minnesota |
How does French Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of F, French Lake falls below the Minnesota state average of Grade C. It ranks #9 of 14 lakes in Rice County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 1.7 feet. That signals heavy algae or sediment, often tied to high phosphorus from runoff. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 46.3 µg/L — elevated; risk of harmful algal bloom advisories increases at this concentration.