Is Long Lake Safe for Swimming?
Long Lake in Stearns County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of F (Very Poor). Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins. Water clarity: 2.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 61 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 41 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | F (Very Poor) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.5 ft |
| Phosphorus | 61 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 41 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 35 ft |
| Location | Stearns County, Minnesota |
How does Long Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of F, Long Lake falls below the Minnesota state average of Grade C. It ranks #24 of 32 lakes in Stearns County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 2.5 feet. That signals heavy algae or sediment, often tied to high phosphorus from runoff. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 41 µg/L — elevated; risk of harmful algal bloom advisories increases at this concentration.