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D

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.

Reviewed by LakeQuality Editorial Team · Updated

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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.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)2 ftF
Phosphorus40 µg/LC
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)10 µg/LC
Trophic State Index (TSI)59Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Water Quality Trend: Improving

Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Stable+0.25 m/yr5
Phosphorus Improving-20 µg/L/yr2
Chlorophyll-a Stable-0.02 µg/L/yr4
See year-by-year chart →

Location

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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.

See full comparison →

Nearby Lakes in Carlton County

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

Mercury

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