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LakeQuality
C
Grant County, North Dakota

Lake Tschida

Grade CFair · 3.6 ft clarity

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Eutrophic

Lake Tschida is a 10,953-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Grant County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 57 feet (20-foot average). Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2025. The lake supports 13 documented fish species including Walleye, Yellow Perch, and White Bass. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 5 other monitored lakes in Grant County, Lake Tschida ranks #5 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2025-09-18. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

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Swimming Safety

Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality

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Water Quality Grade: C, Fair

Murky, only visible to about 3.6 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 11.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 57.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)3.6 ftD
PhosphorusNo data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)11.6 µg/LC
Trophic State Index (TSI)57Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Lake Details

CharacteristicValue
Maximum Depth57 ft
Average Depth20 ft
Surface Area10,953 acres
Shoreline Length42.2 mi
Public AccessYes

Where to stay near Lake Tschida

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Fish Species

Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.

Fishing Lake Tschida

Recreation & Access

2
Boat Landings
Yes
Public Access

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #5 of 6 lakes in Grant County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Lake Tschida holds Grade C. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.

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Nearby Lakes in Grant County

More records, surveys & data sources

Reservoir Info (USACE NID)

Lake Tschida is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Heart Butte Dam (completed 1949), built primarily for flood risk reduction on the HEART RIVER; earth-type dam, 142 ft tall and 1,850 ft long.

Surface area
10,953 ac
Normal storage
75,785 ac-ft
Max storage
451,200 ac-ft
Drainage area
1,714.46 sq mi
Hazard class
High
Owner
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION

All listed purposes: Flood Risk Reduction;Irrigation.

Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00149 · Operator website

EPA Impairment Status

Lake Tschida is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).

Causes of impairment

MercuryNutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen)

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit ND-10130202-001-L_00 · Official waterbody report

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Depth, fish, and access data from North Dakota Game & Fish

Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory

Most recent sample: 2025-09-18

Monitoring stations: 4

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