Cowhorn Lake

On the LakeGrade rubric Cowhorn Lake fails the cutoffs — a TSI of 64 and persistent algal pressure put it in the bottom tier. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.

At a TSI of 64, Cowhorn 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. Cowhorn Lake ranks 140 of 141 in Itasca County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.

No invasive species are currently listed at Cowhorn Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Cowhorn Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. A documented public access point at Cowhorn Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.