School Lake
Chisago County, MinnesotaMesotrophic
School Lake comes in at a B on the grading rubric — a respectable showing for a Minnesota lake of its size and depth. Secchi readings are the weakest of the three parameters, suggesting suspended sediment or algal biomass dominates the optical signal.
The lake sits in the mesotrophic zone — the band where most well-managed Minnesota lakes fall. 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 31 graded lakes in Chisago County, School Lake ranks 6 — in the top quartile locally.
No invasive species are currently listed at School Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for School Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. No formal public access is documented at School 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.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-09-26. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 20 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 1.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 43.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.9 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 20 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 1.6 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 43 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.093 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -12.55 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +7.45 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #6 of 31 lakes in Chisago County
Nearby Lakes in Chisago County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near School Lake
Other Grade B Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2024-09-26
Monitoring stations: 1