Buffalo Lodge Lake is a 1,395-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in McHenry County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 12 feet (8-foot average). Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2021. The lake supports 3 documented fish species including Northern Pike, Walleye, and Yellow Perch. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in McHenry County, Buffalo Lodge Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2021-10-11. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Very murky, less than 3 ft of visibility. Chlorophyll-a: 2.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2.6 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 12.2 ft |
| Average Depth | 7.5 ft |
| Surface Area | 1,395 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 15.8 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Buffalo Lodge Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Buffalo Lodge Lake
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Buffalo Lodge Lake averages about 60°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 63°F) and coldest in May (about 45°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 12 field readings (2021–2021) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Buffalo Lodge Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 3 lakes in McHenry County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Buffalo Lodge Lake holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in McHenry County
Explore Buffalo Lodge Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in McHenry County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Buffalo Lodge Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Buffalo Lodge Lake Dam, built primarily for recreation on the South Egg Creek; earth-type dam, 12 ft tall and 1,500 ft long.
- Surface area
- 1,395 ac
- Normal storage
- 12,510 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 20,775 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 230.6 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- McHenry County WRB
All listed purposes: Recreation;Fish and Wildlife Pond.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND01143 · Operator website
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: 2021-10-11
Monitoring stations: 1