Lakes With Algae Problems in Minnesota
50 lakes in Minnesota report elevated algae levels (chlorophyll-a above 20 µg/L). These lakes are most likely to develop blue-green algae blooms during warm, calm summer weather. Avoid swimming during visible blooms and rinse pets after contact.
Ranked List
| # | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus | Algae |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ardmore Lake | Hennepin | F | 1.3 ft | 344.7 µg/L | 185 µg/L |
| 2 | Augusta Lake | Dakota | F | 0.7 ft | 147.5 µg/L | 130 µg/L |
| 3 | Lamplighter Park Lake | Hennepin | F | 1.1 ft | 121.5 µg/L | 112.5 µg/L |
| 4 | Cody Lake | Rice | F | 2 ft | 302 µg/L | 97 µg/L |
| 5 | Rebecca Lake | Dakota | F | 2.6 ft | 134 µg/L | 95 µg/L |
| 6 | Mud Lake | Washington | F | 1.2 ft | 89 µg/L | 89 µg/L |
| 7 | Farquar Lake | Dakota | F | 1.7 ft | 114.5 µg/L | 88 µg/L |
| 8 | Phelps Lake | Rice | F | 1.6 ft | 325 µg/L | 85 µg/L |
| 9 | Hall Lake | Martin | F | 3 ft | 96 µg/L | 84.1 µg/L |
| 10 | Long Lake | Dakota | F | 1.6 ft | 110 µg/L | 82 µg/L |
| 11 | Sisseton Lake | Martin | F | 2.5 ft | 94 µg/L | 80.1 µg/L |
| 12 | Rose Lake | Washington | F | 1.8 ft | 132.5 µg/L | 77 µg/L |
| 13 | George Lake | Martin | F | 2 ft | 115 µg/L | 74.8 µg/L |
| 14 | Downs Lake | Washington | F | 1.8 ft | 159 µg/L | 70.5 µg/L |
| 15 | Dickman Lake | Dakota | F | 1.6 ft | 74 µg/L | 70 µg/L |
| 16 | Nielson Lake | Washington | F | 1.6 ft | 92.5 µg/L | 69 µg/L |
| 17 | Lilly Lake | Dakota | F | 2 ft | 145 µg/L | 69 µg/L |
| 18 | Goose Lake | Washington | F | 1.5 ft | 101.5 µg/L | 66 µg/L |
| 19 | Amber Lake | Martin | F | 2 ft | 108 µg/L | 65.4 µg/L |
| 20 | Budd Lake | Martin | F | 3.2 ft | 86 µg/L | 64.1 µg/L |
| 21 | Goose Lake | Goodhue | F | 0.4 ft | 176 µg/L | 60.5 µg/L |
| 22 | Cedar Lake | Scott | F | 2 ft | 97.5 µg/L | 58 µg/L |
| 23 | Alimagnet Lake | Dakota | D | 5 ft | 71 µg/L | 58 µg/L |
| 24 | Victoria Lake | Hennepin | F | 1.2 ft | 78 µg/L | 56 µg/L |
| 25 | Snelling Lake | Hennepin | F | 1.8 ft | 99 µg/L | 53.5 µg/L |
| 26 | Mud Lake | Martin | F | 1.6 ft | 125.5 µg/L | 53.4 µg/L |
| 27 | Center Lakedeep | Cook | D | 1.4 ft | 53 µg/L | 52.7 µg/L |
| 28 | Willmert Lake | Martin | F | 3.3 ft | 68.5 µg/L | 52.1 µg/L |
| 29 | Cedar Island Lake | Hennepin | F | 3 ft | 93 µg/L | 52 µg/L |
| 30 | North Silver Lake | Martin | D | 4.9 ft | 68 µg/L | 51.2 µg/L |
| 31 | Northwood Lake | Hennepin | F | 1.5 ft | 196.5 µg/L | 50.5 µg/L |
| 32 | Unnamed Lake | Hennepin | D | 3.3 ft | 55.7 µg/L | 46.5 µg/L |
| 33 | East Arctic Lake | Scott | F | - | 94.5 µg/L | 44.7 µg/L |
| 34 | Bass Lake | Hennepin | D | 4 ft | 34 µg/L | 43.5 µg/L |
| 35 | Sand Lake | Washington | D | 2.5 ft | 53 µg/L | 43 µg/L |
| 36 | Thole Lake | Scott | F | 2.8 ft | 76.5 µg/L | 43 µg/L |
| 37 | S. School Section Lake | Washington | D | 4 ft | 42.5 µg/L | 43 µg/L |
| 38 | Lotus Lake | Carver | D | 5.7 ft | 40.5 µg/L | 42 µg/L |
| 39 | Goose Lake | Washington | D | 3 ft | 40 µg/L | 40 µg/L |
| 40 | Fisher Lake | Scott | F | 1.1 ft | 234.5 µg/L | 39 µg/L |
| 41 | Klawitter Pond | Washington | F | 1.9 ft | 96 µg/L | 39 µg/L |
| 42 | Thompson Lake | Dakota | D | 3.3 ft | 54 µg/L | 38 µg/L |
| 43 | Gerhardt Lake | Dakota | D | 2 ft | 50 µg/L | 38 µg/L |
| 44 | Swamp Lake | Scott | F | 2.1 ft | 122 µg/L | 38 µg/L |
| 45 | Eagle Lake | Hennepin | D | 3 ft | 59 µg/L | 37.5 µg/L |
| 46 | Mcmahon Lake | Scott | F | 2.3 ft | 69 µg/L | 37.5 µg/L |
| 47 | Red Rock Lake | Hennepin | D | 2.6 ft | 38 µg/L | 36.5 µg/L |
| 48 | Colby Lake | Washington | D | 3.8 ft | 61 µg/L | 35.5 µg/L |
| 49 | Lucy Lake | Carver | D | 3.9 ft | 66 µg/L | 33 µg/L |
| 50 | Wilmes Lake | Washington | D | 3.5 ft | 66.5 µg/L | 32 µg/L |