Brewer Lake is a 130-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Cass County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 31 feet (11-foot average). Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2020. The lake supports 5 documented fish species including Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Black Crappie. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2020-10-21. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Brewer Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 4.3 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 31.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 60.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.3 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 31.1 µg/L | F |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 60 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 30.9 ft |
| Average Depth | 11.4 ft |
| Surface Area | 130 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 4.9 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Brewer Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Brewer Lake in Cass County, North Dakota — 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.
Top-rated places to stay near Brewer Lake
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Brewer Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Brewer Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at North Dakota’s top lakes →
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Brewer Lake
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Brewer Lake averages about 65°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 68°F) and coldest in Oct (about 40°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 Brewer Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Cass County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Brewer Lake holds Grade D. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Cass County
Explore Brewer Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
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 D Lakes in North Dakota
Eutrophic Lakes in North Dakota
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Brewer Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Erie Dam (completed 1970), built primarily for recreation on the Rush River - TR; earth-type dam, 51 ft tall and 810 ft long.
- Surface area
- 130 ac
- Normal storage
- 1,650 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 3,050 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 7.73 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Significant
- Owner
- ND Game and Fish
All listed purposes: Recreation;Fish and Wildlife Pond.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00030 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Brewer Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit ND-09020204-003-L_00 · Official waterbody report
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
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: 2020-10-21
Monitoring stations: 1