Meadow Lake
Hennepin County, MinnesotaEutrophic
On the scoring rubric Meadow Lake grades a D: clarity at 3.9 ft and 79 µg/L of phosphorus keep it in the lower bracket for Hennepin County. The two scored sub-grades — clarity and phosphorus — track close together, so neither one is dragging the average down.
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's surface area is not consistently recorded across state datasets — physical context remains partial. Among the 95 graded lakes in Hennepin County, Meadow Lake sits at rank 47, above the county median.
No invasive species are currently listed at Meadow Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Meadow Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. No formal public access is documented at Meadow Lake — most use is by shoreline residents and their guests. Ice-out has been recorded 14 times at Meadow Lake, with a median around Mar 29. 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 2024-10-03. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 3.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 78.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 62.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.9 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 78.5 µg/L | D |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 62 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.9 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -22.25 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Ice Season
Historical ice data from Minnesota DNR (28 observations).
Estimated open water season: 233 days
| Earliest | Latest | |
|---|---|---|
| Ice-Out | 2016-03-13 (2016) | 2013-04-26 (2013) |
| Ice-In | 2006-10-24 (2006) | 2015-12-24 (2015) |
Most recent ice-out: 2021-03-24
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #47 of 95 lakes in Hennepin County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Meadow Lake holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BMagda LakeHennepin County · mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- CBass LakeHennepin County · mi · Higher grade (D → C)
- CSchmidt LakeHennepin County · mi · Higher grade (D → C)
Nearby Lakes in Hennepin County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Meadow Lake
Other Grade D Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
EPA Impairment Status
Meadow 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 MN27-0057-00 · 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
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate
Most recent sample: 2024-10-03
Monitoring stations: 2