Benz Lake
Benz Lake in Washington County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 4.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 26 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.6 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 4.5 ft
- Typical in August
- 75°F
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Public access
- No
Next lake in Washington County
Benz Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Washington County, Minnesota. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Limited fish-species data available. No public access — the lake is private or restricted. Compared to the 74 other monitored lakes in Washington County, Benz Lake ranks #43 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-10-22. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Murky, only visible to about 4.5 ft. Phosphorus level: 26 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 3.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 50.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.5 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 26 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.6 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 50 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Benz Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Benz Lake in Washington County, Minnesota — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
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Water Temperature
Benz Lake typically sits around 75°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 74°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 76°F) and coldest in Apr (about 50°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 117 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Benz Lake water temperature breakdown →
Fishing Benz Lake
EPA Impairment Status
Benz Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN82-0120-00 · Official waterbody report
County Ranking
Ranked #43 of 75 lakes in Washington County
Nearby Lakes in Washington County
Frequently asked questions about Benz Lake
What is the water quality grade for Benz Lake?
- Benz Lake in Washington County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 4.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 26 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.6 µg/L.
Is Benz Lake safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Benz Lake has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 3.6 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Benz Lake?
- Benz Lake typically sits around 75°F at the surface in August, from 117 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2024). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Explore Benz Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in Washington County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Lakes in the St. Croix Watershed, ranked by water quality
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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State Parks Near Benz Lake
Other Grade C Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Where this data comes from
56 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA56 samples · 2024
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- Analysis of Chlorophyll in Periphyton and Plankton
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database