Beaulieu Lake
Mahnomen County, MinnesotaHypereutrophic
Beaulieu Lake grades an F: water clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate poorly, placing it among the most stressed lakes monitored in Minnesota. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.
The hypereutrophic status — TSI 71 — reflects sustained heavy nutrient loading from the surrounding watershed and frequent algal pressure. The lake's maximum depth is not yet documented in state morphometric records — context for its physical structure remains limited. The lake's surface area is not consistently recorded across state datasets — physical context remains partial. Within the 16 graded lakes of Mahnomen County, Beaulieu Lake sits at rank 16, near the bottom of the county list.
No invasive species are currently listed at Beaulieu Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Beaulieu Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. No formal public access is documented at Beaulieu Lake — most use is by shoreline residents and their guests. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2023-08-08. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 1.3 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 90 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 71.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.3 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 90 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 71 | Hypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #16 of 16 lakes in Mahnomen County
Nearby Lakes in Mahnomen County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
Other Grade F Lakes in Minnesota
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2023-08-08
Monitoring stations: 1