Silver Lake

Silver Lake earns an F: phosphorus readings still being added and clarity at 2.0 ft signal heavy nutrient loading from the surrounding watershed. Clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.

At a TSI of 67, Silver Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. A maximum depth of 47 ft puts Silver Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. At 71 acres, Silver Lake sits below the Minnesota median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. Within the 51 graded lakes of Ramsey County, Silver Lake sits at rank 51, near the bottom of the county list.

Eurasian watermilfoil has been documented at Silver Lake, requiring shoreline management to keep dense mats from crowding native vegetation. The fishery includes walleye alongside the lake's other 12 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. A documented public access point at Silver Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. Ice-out has been recorded 8 times at Silver Lake, with a median around Apr 12. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.