Is Wells Lake Safe for Swimming?
Wells 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 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 211 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 40.5 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 | 211 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 40.5 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 4 ft |
| Location | Rice County, Minnesota |
How does Wells Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of F, Wells Lake falls below the Minnesota state average of Grade C. It ranks #10 of 14 lakes in Rice 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 40.5 µg/L — elevated; risk of harmful algal bloom advisories increases at this concentration.