Is Knife Lake Safe for Swimming?
Knife Lake in Kanabec 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: 2 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 161.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 97.2 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | F (Algae-prone) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2 ft |
| Phosphorus | 161.5 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 97.2 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 15 ft |
| Location | Kanabec County, Minnesota |
How does Knife Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of F, Knife Lake falls below the Minnesota state average of Grade C. It ranks #2 of 2 lakes in Kanabec County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 2 feet. That signals heavy algae or sediment, often tied to high phosphorus from runoff. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 97.2 µg/L — elevated; risk of harmful algal bloom advisories increases at this concentration.
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