Is Rice Lake Safe for Swimming?
Rice Lake in Stearns County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of D (Poor). Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk. Water clarity: 2.6 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 49 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | D (Poor) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.6 ft |
| Phosphorus | 49 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 41 ft |
| Location | Stearns County, Minnesota |
How does Rice Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of D, Rice Lake falls below the Minnesota state average of Grade C. It ranks #39 of 55 lakes in Stearns County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 2.6 feet. That signals heavy algae or sediment, often tied to high phosphorus from runoff.