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LakeQuality
A

Kinney Lake

Beltrami County, MinnesotaOligotrophic

On the LakeGrade rubric, Kinney Lake pulls an A: clarity at 49.2 ft and 8 µg/L of phosphorus put it in the top bracket for Minnesota. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.

The lake's low TSI puts it in oligotrophic territory — the cleanest of the four trophic classes, but also the most vulnerable to nutrient-driven shifts. 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 86 graded lakes in Beltrami County, Kinney Lake ranks 17 — in the top quartile locally.

No invasive species are currently listed at Kinney Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Kinney Lake, 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 2025-09-25. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae

Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent

Crystal clear, you can see 49.2 ft down. Phosphorus level: 8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 28.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)49.2 ftA
Phosphorus8 µg/LA
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)28Oligotrophic

Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming

Water Quality Trend: Improving

Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Improving+0.356 m/yr6
Phosphorus Improving-0.66 µg/L/yr6

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #17 of 86 lakes in Beltrami County

Nearby Lakes in Beltrami County

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Most recent sample: 2025-09-25

Monitoring stations: 1