Rice Lake

On the LakeGrade rubric Rice Lake fails the cutoffs — a TSI of 76 and persistent algal pressure put it in the bottom tier. Sub-grades cluster within a single letter of each other, which usually means the lake is in stable trophic balance rather than fighting one specific stressor.

A TSI above 70 puts Rice Lake in hypereutrophic territory: visible blooms are common, and clarity rarely climbs even in early summer. 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. Within Scott County's 24 graded lakes, Rice Lake ranks 16 — below the local median, though not at the bottom.

No invasive species are currently listed at Rice Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Rice Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. No formal public access is documented at Rice Lake — most use is by shoreline residents and their guests. The grade is supported by multiple sampling years from Minnesota PCA volunteers and partner agencies, giving the letter a reasonably stable foundation.