Norway Lake

On the scoring rubric Norway Lake grades a D: clarity at 3.0 ft and 58 µg/L of phosphorus keep it in the lower bracket for Kandiyohi County. Clarity is the limiting factor — phosphorus is reasonable but suspended particles or algal cells keep water transparency below Minnesota norms.

At a TSI of 62, Norway Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. A maximum depth of 42 ft puts Norway Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. At 527 acres, Norway Lake fits the Minnesota median for monitored lakes, with 4.6 miles of shoreline. Norway Lake ranks 17 of 35 in Kandiyohi County — solidly in the upper half of the local distribution.

Zebra mussels have been documented at Norway Lake, which alters the filter-feeding balance and can paradoxically increase water clarity while disrupting the food web. The fishery includes walleye among the lake's 15 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. Public access is available — the lake is on the Minnesota PCA public-access list. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.