Gascoyne Lake is a 0-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Bowman County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 7 feet (5-foot average). Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2023. The lake supports 2 documented fish species including Northern Pike and Yellow Perch. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 3 other monitored lakes in Bowman County, Gascoyne Lake ranks #4 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2023-10-10. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Very murky, less than 1.3 ft of visibility. Chlorophyll-a: 15.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 65.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.3 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 15.3 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 65 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 7.2 ft |
| Average Depth | 4.5 ft |
| Surface Area | 0 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 4.2 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Gascoyne Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Gascoyne Lake
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Gascoyne Lake averages about 66°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 70°F) and coldest in Oct (about 53°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 14 field readings (2023–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Gascoyne Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #4 of 4 lakes in Bowman County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Gascoyne Lake holds Grade D. 4 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BLutz Dam LakeBowman County · 23.5 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- CKalina Dam LakeBowman County · 18.3 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
- CBowman-Haley Dam LakeBowman County · 12.6 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
- CIndian Creek Dam LakeHettinger County · 26.5 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
Nearby Lakes in Bowman County
Explore Gascoyne Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Bowman County
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 D Lakes in North Dakota
Eutrophic Lakes in North Dakota
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Gascoyne Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Gascoyne Lake Dam (completed 1934), built primarily for recreation on the Buffalo Creek-TR; earth-type dam, 8 ft tall and 1,265 ft long.
- Surface area
- 0 ac
- Normal storage
- 1,300 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 1,691 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 4 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- Bowman County WRB
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00375 · Operator website
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
2 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Gascoyne Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits.
- Gascoyne Materials H&RGascoyne · 2.3 mi away · NPDES ND0026182
- American Colloid Co GascoyneScranton · 2.7 mi away · NPDES ND0026077
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.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Depth, fish, and access data from North Dakota Game & Fish
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2023-10-10
Monitoring stations: 1