Cedar Lake
Carlton County, MinnesotaEutrophic
Cedar Lake earns a D — measurements through 2024 show persistent nutrient pressure that limits clarity through the summer. The lake's weakest score is on Secchi depth — the water looks more turbid than its phosphorus number alone would predict.
At a TSI of 59, Cedar Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. The lake's maximum depth is not yet documented in state morphometric records — context for its physical structure remains limited. The lake's surface area is not consistently recorded across state datasets — physical context remains partial. Within the 33 graded lakes of Carlton County, Cedar Lake sits at rank 26, near the bottom of the county list.
No invasive species are currently listed at Cedar Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Cedar Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. No formal public access is documented at Cedar Lake — most use is by shoreline residents and their guests. The grade is supported by multiple sampling years from Minnesota PCA volunteers and partner agencies, giving the letter a reasonably stable foundation.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-07-02. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Very murky, less than 2 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 40 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 10 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 59.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 40 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 10 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 59 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | +0.25 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -20 µg/L/yr | 2 |
| Chlorophyll-a | → Stable | -0.02 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #26 of 33 lakes in Carlton County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Cedar Lake holds Grade D. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BBig LakeCarlton County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- BPat Martin LakeCarlton County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- BLac LakeCarlton County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- BSofie LakeCarlton County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- CHardwood LakeCarlton County · mi · Higher grade (D → C)
Nearby Lakes in Carlton County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Cedar Lake
Other Grade D Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
EPA Impairment Status
Cedar Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2019 EPA reporting cycle.
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit FDL_103 · Official waterbody report
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
Most recent sample: 2024-07-02
Monitoring stations: 1