Lake Irvine is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Ramsey County, North Dakota. Water quality is graded D based on 3 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Compared to the 7 other monitored lakes in Ramsey County, Lake Irvine ranks #6 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2023-10-17. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Lake Irvine water quality
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Very murky, less than 2.9 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 361 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 15.4 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 69.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.9 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 361 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 15.4 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 69 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Lake Irvine
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lake Irvine in Ramsey County, North Dakota — 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 Lake Irvine
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Fishing Lake Irvine
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -2.85 m/yr | 4 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +32.15 µg/L/yr | 4 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -4.75 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Water Temperature
Lake Irvine averages about 70°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 74°F) and coldest in Nov (about 32°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 470 field readings (2010–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Lake Irvine water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #6 of 8 lakes in Ramsey County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Lake Irvine holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- CDevils LakeBenson County · 17.4 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
- CDevils LakeRamsey County · 18.5 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
- DPelican LakeRamsey County · 9.4 mi · Higher overall water quality score
Nearby Lakes in Ramsey County
Explore Lake Irvine across LakeGrade
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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Other Grade D Lakes in North Dakota
Eutrophic Lakes in North Dakota
More records, surveys & data sources
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2023-10-17
Monitoring stations: 1