Alkali Lake is a 194-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Sargent County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 22 feet (14-foot average). Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2020. The lake supports 6 documented fish species including Walleye, Black Crappie, and Northern Pike. Public access is available with 3 public boat landings. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in Sargent County, Alkali Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2020-10-02. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 4.6 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 12.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 55.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.6 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 12.7 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 55 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 21.9 ft |
| Average Depth | 14.1 ft |
| Surface Area | 194 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 4.3 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Alkali Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Alkali Lake
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Alkali Lake averages about 65°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 68°F) and coldest in May (about 51°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 12 field readings (2020–2020) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Alkali Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 3 lakes in Sargent County
Nearby Lakes in Sargent County
Explore Alkali Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Sargent County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Dakota's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
North Dakota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More North Dakota Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in North Dakota
Eutrophic Lakes in North Dakota
More records, surveys & data sources
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Depth, fish, and access data from North Dakota Game & Fish
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2020-10-02
Monitoring stations: 1