George Lake

George Lake earns an F: 160 µg/L of phosphorus and clarity at 1.6 ft signal heavy nutrient loading from the surrounding watershed. Clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.

The hypereutrophic status — TSI 74 — reflects sustained heavy nutrient loading from the surrounding watershed and frequent algal pressure. A maximum depth of just 11 ft means sediment-bound phosphorus releases back into the water column whenever wind stirs the bottom — a classic shallow-lake dynamic. George Lake is small — 83 acres alongside 2.6 miles of shoreline — which makes it sensitive to even modest changes in watershed runoff or recreational pressure. Among the 7 graded lakes in Martin County, George Lake sits at rank 2, above the county median.

No invasive species are currently listed at George Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. Walleye are documented at George Lake, one of 15 fish species on record for the lake. A documented public access point at George Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The lake has a partial ice record — 13 observed ice-outs, centered near Mar 26. Multiple sampling years from Minnesota PCA volunteers and partner agencies back the grade, so the letter should hold steady absent a major watershed shift.