Is Otrey Lake Safe for Swimming?
Otrey Lake in Big Stone County, Minnesota has limited nutrient and algae sampling on record. Chlorophyll-a in the monitoring record runs high enough that algae is a factor. A water-quality reading is not a swimming clearance. The state water agency and county health departments post current advisories; check them before you swim.. Water clarity: 1 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 431 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 156 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1 ft |
| Phosphorus | 431 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 156 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 8 ft |
| Location | Big Stone County, Minnesota |
How does Otrey Lake compare?
Otrey Lake is not rated for water quality — it does not have enough recent summer sampling for a readings, so it is not compared with the Minnesota state average.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 1 feet. That signals heavy algae or sediment, often tied to high phosphorus from runoff. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 156 µg/L — elevated; risk of harmful algal bloom advisories increases at this concentration.
Watch Otrey Lake water quality
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