Skip to main content
LakeQuality

Helmer_nelson Pond Deep

C
Grade C — Fair
Fair · #38 of 44 lakes in the county · 2.5 ft clear · Eutrophic · from D
Limited DataEutrophic

Helmer_nelson Pond Deep in Cook County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 2.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 60 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 2.9 µg/L.

Clarity
2.5 ft
Typical in August
68°F
Type
Eutrophic
Trend
Declining

Next lake in Cook County

CCuffs Lake DeepCook CountyView →
Loading map…

Helmer_nelson Pond Deep is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Cook County, Minnesota. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Compared to the 43 other monitored lakes in Cook County, Helmer_nelson Pond Deep ranks #38 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-05-21. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Watch Helmer_nelson Pond Deep water quality

Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Swimming Safety

Grade only

Limited 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.

Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality

Compare the safest swimming lakes near Ely

Get alerts for Helmer_nelson Pond Deep

Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)

Very murky, less than 2.5 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 60 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 2.9 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 56.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)2.5 ftNot graded
Phosphorus60 µg/LPoor
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)2.9 µg/LGood
Trophic State Index (TSI)56Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Where to stay near Helmer_nelson Pond Deep

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Helmer_nelson Pond Deep in Cook 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.

Top-rated places to stay near Helmer_nelson Pond Deep

Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.

Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →

Water Temperature

Helmer_nelson Pond Deep typically sits around 68°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 67°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 70°F) and coldest in May (about 47°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
47°
Jun
64°
Jul
70°
Aug
68°
Sep
60°
Oct
54°
Nov
Dec

Typical surface water temperature by month, from 71 field readings (20112025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Helmer_nelson Pond Deep water temperature breakdown →

Fishing Helmer_nelson Pond Deep

Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Declining-14.114 m/yr3
Phosphorus Improving-8.73 µg/L/yr5
Chlorophyll-a Declining+4.56 µg/L/yr4
See year-by-year chart →

County Ranking

Ranked #38 of 44 lakes in Cook County

Nearby Lakes in Cook County

Frequently asked questions about Helmer_nelson Pond Deep

What is the water quality grade for Helmer_nelson Pond Deep?

Helmer_nelson Pond Deep in Cook County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 2.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 60 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 2.9 µg/L.

Is Helmer_nelson Pond Deep safe to swim in?

Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Helmer_nelson Pond Deep has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 2.9 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.

What is the water temperature of Helmer_nelson Pond Deep?

Helmer_nelson Pond Deep typically sits around 68°F at the surface in August, from 71 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2011–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.

Where this data comes from

31 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2021–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.

Collected and reported by

  • Grand Portage ReservationGPC5_WQX31 samples · 2021–2025

Analytical methods

  • Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
  • 5310 C ~ Total Organic Carbon in Water- Ultraviolet Oxidation Method
  • 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
Monitoring station identifiers (1)

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.