Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake sits at a C on the grading scale — not impaired, not pristine, with summer measurements that vary year to year. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.

At a TSI of 61, Crystal Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. Crystal Lake reaches 39 ft at its deepest point — typical for Minnesota mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. The lake is compact at 79 acres, with 1.6 miles of shoreline and little volume to buffer nutrient inputs. Crystal Lake ranks 26 of 95 in Hennepin County — solidly in the upper half of the local distribution.

Crystal Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2024, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. 12 fish species are on record, with panfish making up the recreational core. Public access is available — the lake is on the Minnesota PCA public-access list. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.