Schram Lake
Beltrami County, MinnesotaEutrophic
Schram Lake sits at a C on the grading scale — not impaired, not pristine, with summer measurements that vary year to year. Clarity is the limiting factor — phosphorus is reasonable but suspended particles or algal cells keep water transparency below Minnesota norms.
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. Schram Lake ranks 73 of 86 in Beltrami County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.
No invasive species are currently listed at Schram Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Schram Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. The lake lacks a documented public access point, so visitor use is limited. Multiple sampling years from Minnesota PCA volunteers and partner agencies back the grade, so the letter should hold steady absent a major watershed shift.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2020-10-13. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 3.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 21 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 6.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.9 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 21 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 6.2 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #73 of 86 lakes in Beltrami County
Nearby Lakes in Beltrami County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Schram Lake
Other Grade C Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2020-10-13
Monitoring stations: 1