Buck Lake
Buck Lake in Scott County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 2.6 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 272 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 14 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 2.6 ft
- Typical in August
- 74°F
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Public access
- No
Grade D measures nutrients and algae, not whether this is a good place for a cabin trip. Cabins and rentals near Buck Lake →
Next lake in Scott County
Buck Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Scott County, Minnesota. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Limited fish-species data available. No public access — the lake is private or restricted. Compared to the 20 other monitored lakes in Scott County, Buck Lake ranks #13 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-10-04. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Buck Lake water quality
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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.
Nutrients and algae run higher than average — check local advisories before swimming, and skip the water if you see scum
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
Very murky, less than 2.6 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 272 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 14 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 68.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.6 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 272 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 14 µg/L | Fair |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 68 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Buck Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Buck Lake in Scott 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. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Buck Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Buck Lake
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Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
Water Temperature
Buck Lake typically sits around 74°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 75°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 78°F) and coldest in Oct (about 56°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 26 field readings (2019–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Buck Lake water temperature breakdown →
Fishing Buck Lake
EPA Impairment Status
Buck Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN70-0054-00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.42 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #13 of 21 lakes in Scott County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Buck Lake holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
Nearby Lakes in Scott County
Frequently asked questions about Buck Lake
What is the water quality grade for Buck Lake?
- Buck Lake in Scott County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 2.6 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 272 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 14 µg/L.
Is Buck Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrients and algae run higher than average — check local advisories before swimming, and skip the water if you see scum. Buck Lake has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 14 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Buck Lake?
- Buck Lake typically sits around 74°F at the surface in August, from 26 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2019–2024). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Explore Buck Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in Scott County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its grade
Lakes in the Minnesota River Watershed, ranked by water quality
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Minnesota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Buck Lake
Other Grade D Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Where this data comes from
52 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
MNPCA52 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