Is Lake Ashtabula Safe for Swimming?
Lake Ashtabula in Barnes County, North Dakota has a water quality grade of B (Good). Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels. Water clarity: 3.4 ft visibility. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.3 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | B (Good) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.4 ft |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.3 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 42.8 ft |
| Location | Barnes County, North Dakota |
How does Lake Ashtabula compare?
With an overall water quality grade of B, Lake Ashtabula matches or beats the North Dakota state average of Grade C. It ranks #1 of 4 lakes in Barnes County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 3.4 feet. That falls into moderate clarity — typical for lakes with some nutrient enrichment. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 3.3 µg/L — low and well within safe swimming guidelines.