Hardwood Lake

The LakeGrade rubric puts Hardwood Lake at a C: clarity at 5.1 ft, 20 µg/L of phosphorus, and a TSI of 49 signal an intermediate trophic state. The lake's weakest score is on Secchi depth — the water looks more turbid than its phosphorus number alone would predict.

Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Hardwood Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. 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. Among the 33 graded lakes in Carlton County, Hardwood Lake sits at rank 15, above the county median.

No invasive species are currently listed at Hardwood Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Hardwood Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. The grade is supported by multiple sampling years from Minnesota PCA volunteers and partner agencies, giving the letter a reasonably stable foundation.