Lower Rice Lake
Lower Rice Lake in Clearwater County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 38 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 2 µg/L.
- Mean depth
- ~9 ft est.
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Public access
- No
Next lake in Clearwater County
Lower Rice Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Clearwater County, Minnesota with an estimated average depth of about 9 feet. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Limited fish-species data available. No public access — the lake is private or restricted. Compared to the 36 other monitored lakes in Clearwater County, Lower Rice Lake ranks #35 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2023-09-22. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 38 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 38 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2 µg/L | Not graded |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Lower Rice Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lower Rice Lake in Clearwater County, Minnesota — 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.
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Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Depth | ~9 ft est. |
| Public Access | No |
Depth marked “est.” is a modeled estimate from HydroLAKES, not a measured survey. Minnesota has not published bathymetry for Lower Rice Lake.
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth here is modelled, not surveyed — HydroLAKES v1.0 estimates lake depth from surrounding terrain rather than from soundings. Treat it as an approximation, and prefer a state bathymetric survey where one exists.
Fishing Lower Rice Lake
County Ranking
Ranked #35 of 37 lakes in Clearwater County
Nearby Lakes in Clearwater County
Frequently asked questions about Lower Rice Lake
What is the water quality grade for Lower Rice Lake?
- Lower Rice Lake in Clearwater County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 38 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 2 µg/L.
Is Lower Rice Lake safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Lower Rice Lake has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 2 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Lower Rice Lake?
- No published bathymetric survey covers Lower Rice Lake, so its depth has not been measured. The HydroLAKES global model estimates an average depth of about 9 feet, but that is a modelled estimate derived from surrounding terrain rather than a measurement on the water, so treat it as approximate.
Explore Lower Rice Lake across LakeGrade
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Where this data comes from
10 measurements from 2 monitoring stations, 2023. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota (White Earth Band) (Tribal)
WEARTH_WQX10 samples · 2023
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
- Turbidity by Nephelometry
Monitoring station identifiers (2)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder