Powers Lake
Powers Lake in Washington County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 5.8 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 187 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 14.5 µg/L. Maximum depth: 41 ft. Surface area: 57.89 acres.
- Clarity
- 5.8 ft
- Typical in August
- 59°F
- Max depth
- 41 ft
- Area
- 58 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Public access
- No
Grade D measures nutrients and algae, not whether this is a good place for a cabin trip. Cabins and rentals near Powers Lake →
Next lake in Washington County
Powers Lake is a 58-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Washington County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 41 feet. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2024. The lake supports 8 documented fish species including black crappie, bluegill, and hybrid sunfish. No public access — the lake is private or restricted. Compared to the 74 other monitored lakes in Washington County, Powers Lake ranks #58 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-10-23. 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.
Nutrients and algae run higher than average — check local advisories before swimming, and skip the water if you see scum
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
Murky, only visible to about 5.8 ft. Phosphorus level: 187 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 14.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 63.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.8 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 187 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 14.5 µg/L | Fair |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 63 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Powers Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Powers Lake in Washington 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. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Powers Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Powers Lake
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Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
Water Temperature
Powers Lake typically sits around 59°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 57°F. Usually warmest in Aug (about 59°F) and coldest in Apr (about 44°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 431 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Powers Lake water temperature breakdown →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 41 ft |
| Surface Area | 58 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1.6 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 45% |
| Public Access | No |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Powers Lake
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
EPA Impairment Status
Powers Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN82-0093-00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.97 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #58 of 75 lakes in Washington County
Nearby Lakes in Washington County
Frequently asked questions about Powers Lake
What is the water quality grade for Powers Lake?
- Powers Lake in Washington County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 5.8 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 187 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 14.5 µg/L. Maximum depth: 41 ft. Surface area: 57.89 acres.
Is Powers Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrients and algae run higher than average — check local advisories before swimming, and skip the water if you see scum. Powers Lake has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 14.5 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Powers Lake?
- Powers Lake typically sits around 59°F at the surface in August, from 431 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2024). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Powers Lake?
- Powers Lake has a maximum depth of 41 feet. The lake covers 57.89 acres.
What fish are in Powers Lake?
- Fish species found in Powers Lake include black crappie, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, walleye, yellow perch. Powers Lake is located in Washington County, Minnesota.
Explore Powers Lake across LakeGrade
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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Where this data comes from
68 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA68 samples · 2024
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- Analysis of Chlorophyll in Periphyton and Plankton
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder