E A Patterson Lake
Stark County, North Dakota2,158 acresView mapDirections
ND DEQ publishes the water-quality measurements for E A Patterson Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Eutrophic
- Public access
- Limited data
E A Patterson Lake in Stark County, North Dakota has water-quality measurements published by ND DEQ, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 6 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 246 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 15.9 µg/L. Surface area: 2158 acres.
E A Patterson Lake is a 2,158-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Stark County, North Dakota. Phosphorus level is declining over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in Stark County, E A Patterson Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NDDEQ, last sampled 2023-05-23. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
What E A Patterson Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Big water2,158 acres
Swimming conditions
Readings onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae readings from past sampling — there is no live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether E A Patterson Lake is safe to swim in today is a call for the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.
Water quality measurements for E A Patterson Lake
These are the measurements ND DEQ publishes for E A Patterson Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Murky, only visible to about 6 ft. Phosphorus 246 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 15.9 µg/L. TSI 64.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 6ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | 246µg/L | Measured, not scored The nutrient that most limits algae growth in freshwater. More phosphorus, more algae potential. |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | 15.9µg/L | Fair GoodFairPoor |
| Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. | 64 | Eutrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Ask about E A Patterson Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
E A Patterson Lake typically sits around 57°F at the surface in October. Summer average is about 68°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 71°F) and coldest in Feb (about 36°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (36°F) to its warmest (71°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 355 field readings (2010–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full E A Patterson Lake water temperature breakdown →
Lake Details
Surface area
2,158 acres
Public access
Yes
Listed by ND DEQ
No bathymetric survey has been published for E A Patterson Lake, so its depth is not documented here.
Stays via Stay22
Stays near E A Patterson Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near E A Patterson Lake in Stark County, North Dakota — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near E A Patterson Lake
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Fishing E A Patterson Lake
Water Quality Trend: Stable
Based on 4 years of monitoring (2020–2023).
Phosphorus
Worsening+13.67 µg/L/yr2 years
Chlorophyll-a
Improving-1.24 µg/L/yr4 years
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
E A Patterson Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Dickinson Dam (completed 1950), built primarily for irrigation on the HEART RIVER; earth-type dam, 65 ft tall and 2,275 ft long.
- Surface area
- 2,158 ac
- Normal storage
- 8,612 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 26,462 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 401.42 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
All listed purposes: Irrigation;Water Supply.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00148 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.29 km)
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
2 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of E A Patterson Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 1 classified by the EPA as major discharger. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Dickinson City OfDickinson · 2.2 mi away · NPDES ND0023175MajorRecent violation
- Southwest Water AuthorityDickinson · 1.3 mi away · NPDES ND0023183
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.
Nearby Lakes in Stark County
Frequently asked questions about E A Patterson Lake
Where is E A Patterson Lake?
- E A Patterson Lake is a lake in Stark County, North Dakota. Its water-quality measurements are published by ND DEQ and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of E A Patterson Lake?
- E A Patterson Lake in Stark County, North Dakota has water-quality measurements published by ND DEQ, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 6 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 246 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 15.9 µg/L. Surface area: 2158 acres.
Is E A Patterson Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of E A Patterson Lake?
- E A Patterson Lake typically sits around 57°F at the surface in October, from 355 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2023). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Can I fish at E A Patterson Lake?
- Public access to E A Patterson Lake is listed as yes on the lake record. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by North Dakota's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.
Explore E A Patterson Lake across LakeQuality
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Dakota's top lakes, each with its readings
North Dakota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
Planning a trip around Theodore Roosevelt?
E A Patterson Lake is about 35 miles from Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Crowds there swing hard by season, so the month you pick changes both how busy the park is and what lodging costs.
Best time to visit Theodore Roosevelt →More lakes in North Dakota
Other Lakes in North Dakota
Eutrophic Lakes in North Dakota
Where this data comes from
18 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2023. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- USGS North Dakota Water Science Center
USGS-ND18 samples · 2020–2023
Analytical methods
- P, wu, WCA, persulfate CF color
- Plant pigments, sonication & 445
- YSI EXO turbidity sensor, FNU
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
EPA condition classes from the National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See where the data comes from 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