East Arctic Lake
Scott County, MinnesotaEutrophic
East Arctic Lake grades an F: every scored parameter (phosphorus and chlorophyll-a) rates poorly, placing it among the most stressed lakes monitored in Minnesota. phosphorus and chlorophyll-a rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.
A TSI in the eutrophic range signals a lake doing what nutrient-loaded waters do — supporting an active algal community at the cost of clear water. 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. East Arctic Lake ranks 17 of 17 in Scott County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.
No invasive species are currently listed at East Arctic Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for East Arctic Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. The lake lacks a documented public access point, so visitor use is limited. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-10-24. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 94.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 44.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 69.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No data | |
| Phosphorus | 94.5 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 44.7 µg/L | F |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 69 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.068 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | → Stable | -0.56 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +12.57 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #17 of 17 lakes in Scott County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
East Arctic Lake holds Grade F. 4 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BCentral Mystic LakeScott County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → B)
- BLower Prior LakeScott County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → B)
- CSpring LakeScott County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
- CUpper Prior LakeScott County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
Nearby Lakes in Scott County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near East Arctic Lake
Other Grade F Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
EPA Impairment Status
East Arctic Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN70-0072-00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.9 km)
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: 2024-10-24
Monitoring stations: 1