Is Shell Lake Safe for Swimming?
Shell Lake in Becker County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Water clarity: 7.3 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 21 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 5 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | A (Excellent) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.3 ft |
| Phosphorus | 21 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 5 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 16 ft |
| Location | Becker County, Minnesota |
How does Shell Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of A, Shell Lake matches or beats the Minnesota state average of Grade C. It ranks #9 of 84 lakes in Becker County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 7.3 feet. That puts the lake in good clarity range, with limited algae interference. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 5 µg/L — low and well within safe swimming guidelines.