Is Sleepy Eye Lake Safe for Swimming?
Sleepy Eye Lake in Brown County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of D (Poor). Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk. Water clarity: 3.3 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 39.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 41.7 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | D (Poor) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.3 ft |
| Phosphorus | 39.5 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 41.7 μg/L |
| Location | Brown County, Minnesota |
How does Sleepy Eye Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of D, Sleepy Eye Lake falls below the Minnesota state average of Grade C. It ranks #2 of 7 lakes in Brown County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 3.3 feet. That falls into moderate clarity — typical for lakes with some nutrient enrichment. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 41.7 µg/L — elevated; risk of harmful algal bloom advisories increases at this concentration.