Is Garden Lake Safe for Swimming?
Garden Lake in Lake County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Water clarity: 5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 15.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 4.4 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | A (Excellent) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5 ft |
| Phosphorus | 15.5 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 4.4 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 55 ft |
| Location | Lake County, Minnesota |
How does Garden Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of A, Garden Lake matches or beats the Minnesota state average of Grade C. It ranks #2 of 35 lakes in Lake County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 5 feet. That falls into moderate clarity — typical for lakes with some nutrient enrichment. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 4.4 µg/L — low and well within safe swimming guidelines.