Ramsey Lake
Wright County, MinnesotaEutrophic
The LakeGrade rubric puts Ramsey Lake at a C: clarity at 4.6 ft, 39 µg/L of phosphorus, and a TSI of 56 signal an intermediate trophic state. 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's surface area is not consistently recorded across state datasets — physical context remains partial. Among the 64 graded lakes in Wright County, Ramsey Lake sits at rank 31, above the county median.
Ramsey Lake carries an invasive watermilfoil record — boat-launch decontamination and shoreline care matter more here than at uninfested lakes. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Ramsey Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. Public access is available — the lake is on the Minnesota PCA public-access list. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-09-16. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 4.6 ft. Phosphorus level: 39 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 56.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.6 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 39 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 56 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.14 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +2.95 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #31 of 64 lakes in Wright County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Ramsey Lake holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Wright County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Ramsey Lake
Other Grade C 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 Ramsey Lake. 1 report on file.
- —Public Water Access Sites — Ramsey (Main Lake)Public Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
EPA Impairment Status
Ramsey 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 MN86-0120-00 · 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
Most recent sample: 2024-09-16
Monitoring stations: 1