Custer Mine Pond
McLean County, North Dakota11 acresView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae sit mid-range for this region.
- Eutrophic
- #3 of 3 in the county
- Public access
- Limited data
Custer Mine Pond in McLean County, North Dakota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 2.2 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 33.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.3 µg/L. Surface area: 10.7 acres.
- Clarity
- 2.2 ft
- Area
- 11 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Phosphorus
- 33.5 µg/L
- Chlorophyll-a
- 3.3 µg/L
- Public access
- Yes
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Watch Custer Mine Pond’s letter
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Custer Mine Pond is a 11-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in McLean County, North Dakota. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2024. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in McLean County, Custer Mine Pond ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NDDEQ, last sampled 2024-10-08. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
What Custer Mine Pond is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch1 documented ramp
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Very murky, less than 2.2 ft of visibility. Phosphorus 33.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 3.3 µg/L. TSI 54. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.2 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 33.5 µg/L | Not graded |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.3 µg/L | Not graded |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 54 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 11 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
No bathymetric survey has been published for Custer Mine Pond, so its depth is not documented here.
Recreation & Access
- Custer MinePublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Fishing Custer Mine Pond
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Custer Mine Pond is a man-made reservoir impounded by the De Trobriand Gma 1 (completed 1986), built primarily for fish and wildlife pond on the Lake Sakakawea-TR; earth-type dam, 17 ft tall and 265 ft long.
- Surface area
- 10.7 ac
- Normal storage
- 55.8 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 55.8 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 1.89 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- US Corps Of Engineers
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00427 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.77 km)
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Custer Mine Pond under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Snake Creek Pumping PlantColeharbor · 1.9 mi away · NPDES ND0023892Recent violation
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 3 lakes in McLean County
Nearby Lakes in McLean County
Frequently asked questions about Custer Mine Pond
Where is Custer Mine Pond?
- Custer Mine Pond is a lake in McLean County, North Dakota. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Custer Mine Pond?
- Custer Mine Pond in McLean County, North Dakota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 2.2 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 33.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.3 µg/L. Surface area: 10.7 acres.
Is Custer Mine Pond safe to swim in?
- The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Are there boat ramps on Custer Mine Pond?
- Custer Mine Pond has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Custer Mine. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Custer Mine Pond across LakeQuality
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Dakota's top lakes, each with its grade
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
Where this data comes from
20 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- North Dakota Department Of Environmental Quality
21NDHDWQ_WQX20 samples · 2024
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 447.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll a and b in phytoplankton by HPLC/UV
- 4500 NO3 E ~ Nitrate in Water- Cadmium Reduction
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Depth, fish, and access data from North Dakota Game & Fish
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory