Sandy Lake
Anoka County, MinnesotaEutrophic
Sandy Lake earns a D — measurements through 2023 show persistent nutrient pressure that limits clarity through the summer. 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. Sandy Lake sits at rank 18 of 24 in Anoka County, in the lower half of the local distribution.
No invasive species are currently listed at Sandy Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Sandy Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. No formal public access is documented at Sandy Lake — most use is by shoreline residents and their guests. 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 2023-07-31. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Very murky, less than 2.5 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 76 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 65.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.5 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 76 µg/L | D |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 65 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.1 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +15 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #18 of 24 lakes in Anoka County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Sandy Lake holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- CMoore LakeAnoka County · mi · Higher grade (D → C)
- CSouth Long LakeRamsey County · mi · Higher grade (D → C)
- CSpring LakeRamsey County · mi · Higher grade (D → C)
Nearby Lakes in Anoka County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Sandy Lake
Other Grade D Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
EPA Impairment Status
Sandy 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 MN02-0080-00 · 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: 2023-07-31
Monitoring stations: 2