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. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. 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 #2 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
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 5.1 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 8.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 52.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.1 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 8.3 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 52 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 57 ft |
| Average Depth | 20 ft |
| Surface Area | 10,953 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 42.2 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
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
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.141 m/yr | 4 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -4.65 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Lake Tschida averages about 67°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 70°F) and coldest in May (about 48°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 34 field readings (2012–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal.
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 6 lakes in Grant County
Nearby Lakes in Grant County
Explore Lake Tschida across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Grant County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Dakota's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
North Dakota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More North Dakota Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in North Dakota
Eutrophic Lakes in North Dakota
Compare Lake Tschida With Nearby Lakes
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
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit ND-10130202-001-L_00 · Official waterbody report
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
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: 1