Goose Lake
Goose Lake in Washington County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of F (Algae-prone). Water clarity: 1.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 101.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 63 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 1.5 ft
- Typical in August
- 75°F
- Type
- Hypereutrophic
- Public access
- No
Grade F measures nutrients and algae, not whether this is a good place for a cabin trip. Cabins and rentals near Goose Lake →
Next lake in Washington County
Goose Lake is a highly nutrient-loaded hypereutrophic lake in Washington County, Minnesota. Water quality is graded F based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Limited fish-species data available. No public access — the lake is private or restricted. Compared to the 74 other monitored lakes in Washington County, Goose Lake ranks #68 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-10-17. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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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.
Algae and nutrients are often high — check current advisories before swimming. Skip the water if you see scum or a paint-like bloom
Water Quality Grade: F (Algae-prone)
Very murky, less than 1.5 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 101.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 63 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 71.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.5 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 101.5 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 63 µg/L | Poor |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 71 | Hypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Where to stay near Goose Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Goose Lake in Washington County, Minnesota — 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. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Goose Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Goose Lake
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Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
Water Temperature
Goose Lake typically sits around 75°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 74°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 77°F) and coldest in Apr (about 50°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 33 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal.
Fishing Goose Lake
EPA Impairment Status
Goose Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN82-0113-02 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.28 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #68 of 75 lakes in Washington County
Nearby Lakes in Washington County
Frequently asked questions about Goose Lake
What is the water quality grade for Goose Lake?
- Goose Lake in Washington County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of F (Algae-prone). Water clarity: 1.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 101.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 63 µg/L.
Is Goose Lake safe to swim in?
- Algae and nutrients are often high — check current advisories before swimming. Skip the water if you see scum or a paint-like bloom. Goose Lake has a water quality grade of F (Algae-prone). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 63 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Goose Lake?
- Goose Lake typically sits around 75°F at the surface in August, from 33 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2024). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Explore Goose Lake across LakeGrade
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
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Where this data comes from
56 measurements from 2 monitoring stations, 2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA56 samples · 2024
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- Analysis of Chlorophyll in Periphyton and Plankton
Monitoring station identifiers (2)
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database