Howard Lake

Howard Lake earns a D — measurements through 2024 show persistent nutrient pressure that limits clarity through the summer. The two scored sub-grades — clarity and phosphorus — track close together, so neither one is dragging the average down.

A TSI in the eutrophic range signals a lake doing what nutrient-loaded waters do — supporting an active algal community at the cost of clear water. Howard Lake reaches 39 ft at its deepest point — typical for Minnesota mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. At 745 acres, Howard Lake fits the Minnesota median for monitored lakes, with 4.7 miles of shoreline. Within Wright County's 64 graded lakes, Howard Lake ranks 42 — below the local median, though not at the bottom.

Eurasian watermilfoil has been documented at Howard Lake, requiring shoreline management to keep dense mats from crowding native vegetation. The fishery includes walleye among the lake's 16 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. Public access is available — the lake is on the Minnesota PCA public-access list. The lake has a long ice-out record — 109 observations on file, with a median ice-out around Apr 13. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.