Is Pelican Lake Safe for Swimming?
Pelican Lake in Pope County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of D (Poor). Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk. Water clarity: 5.2 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 50 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 23.1 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | D (Poor) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.2 ft |
| Phosphorus | 50 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 23.1 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 34 ft |
| Location | Pope County, Minnesota |
How does Pelican Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of D, Pelican Lake falls below the Minnesota state average of Grade C. It ranks #12 of 20 lakes in Pope County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 5.2 feet. That falls into moderate clarity — typical for lakes with some nutrient enrichment. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 23.1 µg/L — elevated; risk of harmful algal bloom advisories increases at this concentration.