Is Knife Lake Safe for Swimming?
Knife Lake in Kanabec County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of F (Very Poor). Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins. Water clarity: 2.3 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 161.5 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | F (Very Poor) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.3 ft |
| Phosphorus | 161.5 μg/L |
| 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 #7 of 7 lakes in Kanabec County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 2.3 feet. That signals heavy algae or sediment, often tied to high phosphorus from runoff.