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LakeQuality
F

Helmer_nelson Pond Middle

Cook County, MinnesotaLimited DataEutrophic

On the LakeGrade rubric Helmer_nelson Pond Middle fails the cutoffs — a TSI of 64 and persistent algal pressure put it in the bottom tier. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.

Eutrophic conditions are the baseline here: clarity drops noticeably in late summer, and dissolved oxygen near the bottom can become a concern. 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. Within the 128 graded lakes of Cook County, Helmer_nelson Pond Middle sits at rank 117, near the bottom of the county list.

No invasive species are currently listed at Helmer_nelson Pond Middle — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Helmer_nelson Pond Middle, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2021-09-21. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins

Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor

Very murky, less than 2.5 ft of visibility. Trophic State Index: 64.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)2.5 ftF
PhosphorusNo data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)64Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Water Quality Trend: Declining

Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Declining-14.114 m/yr3
Phosphorus Improving-4.3 µg/L/yr4
Chlorophyll-a Declining+4.56 µg/L/yr4
See year-by-year chart →

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #117 of 128 lakes in Cook County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Helmer_nelson Pond Middle holds Grade F. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.

See full comparison →

Nearby Lakes in Cook County

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Most recent sample: 2021-09-21

Monitoring stations: 1