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LakeQuality
C

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.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)3.9 ftD
Phosphorus21 µg/LB
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)6.2 µg/LB
Trophic State Index (TSI)51Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #73 of 86 lakes in Beltrami County

Nearby Lakes in Beltrami County

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