Round Lake
Ramsey County, MinnesotaEutrophic
Round Lake earns a C — middle-of-the-pack water quality, with one or two parameters dragging the average down from a stronger grade. 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.
Eutrophic conditions are the baseline here: clarity drops noticeably in late summer, and dissolved oxygen near the bottom can become a concern. 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. Round Lake ranks 13 of 49 in Ramsey County — solidly in the upper half of the local distribution.
Eurasian watermilfoil is established at Round Lake, which can dampen recreational access and pressure the native plant community. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Round Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. A documented public access point at Round Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. Ice-out has been recorded 7 times at Round Lake, with a median around Apr 8. 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 2024-09-18. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.2 ft. Phosphorus level: 49 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 54.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.2 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 49 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 54 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Invasive Species
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | -0.04 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -2.35 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Ice Season
Historical ice data from Minnesota DNR (8 observations).
| Earliest | Latest | |
|---|---|---|
| Ice-Out | 2024-03-03 (2024) | 2018-04-28 (2018) |
| Ice-In | 2024-11-30 (2024) | 2024-11-30 (2024) |
Most recent ice-out: 2026-03-29
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #13 of 49 lakes in Ramsey County
Nearby Lakes in Ramsey County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Round 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 Round Lake. 1 report on file.
- —Public Water Access Sites — RoundPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate
Most recent sample: 2024-09-18
Monitoring stations: 1