Is Pokegama Lake Safe for Swimming?
Pokegama Lake in Pine County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of F (Very Poor). Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins. Water clarity: 2 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 170 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 46.8 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | F (Very Poor) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2 ft |
| Phosphorus | 170 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 46.8 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 25 ft |
| Location | Pine County, Minnesota |
How does Pokegama Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of F, Pokegama Lake falls below the Minnesota state average of Grade C. It ranks #3 of 3 lakes in Pine County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 2 feet. That signals heavy algae or sediment, often tied to high phosphorus from runoff. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 46.8 µg/L — elevated; risk of harmful algal bloom advisories increases at this concentration.