Is Shields Lake Safe for Swimming?
Shields Lake in Rice County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of F (Very Poor). Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins. Water clarity: 2.5 ft visibility. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | F (Very Poor) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.5 ft |
| Maximum Depth | 42 ft |
| Location | Rice County, Minnesota |
How does Shields Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of F, Shields Lake falls below the Minnesota state average of Grade C. It ranks #10 of 12 lakes in Rice County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 2.5 feet. That signals heavy algae or sediment, often tied to high phosphorus from runoff.