Carlson-Tande Dam Lake is a 16-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Griggs County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 23 feet (8-foot average). Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 4 documented fish species including Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Bluegill. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Griggs County, Carlson-Tande Dam Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2025-10-14. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 5.6 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 8.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 52.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.6 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 8.1 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 52 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 23 ft |
| Average Depth | 8.4 ft |
| Surface Area | 16 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Carlson-Tande Dam Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Carlson-Tande Dam Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.118 m/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Carlson-Tande Dam Lake averages about 66°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 70°F) and coldest in Oct (about 51°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 24 field readings (2010–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Carlson-Tande Dam Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Griggs County
Nearby Lakes in Griggs County
Explore Carlson-Tande Dam Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Griggs County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
North Dakota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More North Dakota Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in North Dakota
Eutrophic Lakes in North Dakota
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Carlson-Tande Dam Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Carlson-Tande Dam (completed 1967), built primarily for recreation on the Sheyenne River-TR; earth-type dam, 29 ft tall and 425 ft long.
- Surface area
- 15.79 ac
- Normal storage
- 152.35 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 232.23 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 1.72 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- Griggs County WRB
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00299 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Carlson-Tande Dam Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit ND-09020203-005-L_00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.19 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
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: 2025-10-14
Monitoring stations: 1