Locke Lake
Anoka County, MinnesotaEutrophic
On the LakeGrade rubric Locke Lake fails the cutoffs — a TSI of 67 and persistent algal pressure put it in the bottom tier. clarity and phosphorus rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.
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. The lake's maximum depth is not yet documented in state morphometric records — context for its physical structure remains limited. The lake is compact at 23 acres, with partial shoreline records and little volume to buffer nutrient inputs. Locke Lake ranks 22 of 24 in Anoka County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.
Eurasian watermilfoil has been documented at Locke Lake, requiring shoreline management to keep dense mats from crowding native vegetation. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Locke Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. A documented public access point at Locke Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. 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 2021-09-27. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 3 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 107 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 67.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 107 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 67 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 23 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #22 of 24 lakes in Anoka County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Locke Lake holds Grade F. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- CMoore LakeAnoka County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
- CSpring LakeRamsey County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
- CSouth Long LakeRamsey County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
- DSandy LakeAnoka County · mi · Higher grade (F → D)
- DSilver LakeRamsey County · mi · Higher grade (F → D)
Nearby Lakes in Anoka County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Locke Lake
Other Grade F Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Locke Lake. 1 report on file.
- —Public Water Access Sites — LockePublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Locke Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Locke Lake (completed 1956), built primarily for recreation on the Rice Creek; concrete-type dam, 25 ft tall and 100 ft long.
- Surface area
- 23 ac
- Normal storage
- 200 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 320 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 200 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Significant
- Owner
- City of Fridley
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MN00396 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Locke Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN02-0075-01 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.9 km)
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
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Most recent sample: 2021-09-27
Monitoring stations: 1