Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake in Dakota County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 6.7 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 32.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.9 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 6.7 ft
- Typical in August
- 77°F
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Trend
- ↓ Declining
- Public access
- No
Next lake in Dakota County
Horseshoe Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Dakota County, Minnesota. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. No public access — the lake is private or restricted. Compared to the 44 other monitored lakes in Dakota County, Horseshoe Lake ranks #7 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-04-04. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Horseshoe Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
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.
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Moderate clarity, visible to about 6.7 ft. Phosphorus level: 32.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 3.9 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 49.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6.7 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 32.5 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.9 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 49 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Horseshoe Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Horseshoe Lake in Dakota 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 Horseshoe Lake
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
Horseshoe Lake typically sits around 77°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 79°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 83°F) and coldest in Apr (about 48°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 28 field readings (2010–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Horseshoe Lake water temperature breakdown →
Fishing Horseshoe Lake
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Source: USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Database. Hover a chip to see scientific name, ecological context, status, and first-observed year.
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.252 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +4.25 µg/L/yr | 2 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +1.18 µg/L/yr | 2 |
County Ranking
Ranked #7 of 45 lakes in Dakota County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Horseshoe Lake holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher nutrient-and-algae grade — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
Nearby Lakes in Dakota County
Frequently asked questions about Horseshoe Lake
What is the water quality grade for Horseshoe Lake?
- Horseshoe Lake in Dakota County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 6.7 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 32.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.9 µg/L.
Is Horseshoe Lake safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Horseshoe Lake has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 3.9 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Horseshoe Lake?
- Horseshoe Lake typically sits around 77°F at the surface in August, from 28 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Explore Horseshoe Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in Dakota County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its grade
Lakes in the Minnesota River Watershed, ranked by water quality
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Minnesota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Horseshoe Lake
Other Grade C Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Where this data comes from
29 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2024–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA29 samples · 2024–2025
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- Analysis of Chlorophyll in Periphyton and Plankton
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.