Simian Lake
St. Louis County, MinnesotaEutrophic
Simian Lake sits at a C on the grading scale — not impaired, not pristine, with summer measurements that vary year to year. Secchi readings are the weakest of the scored parameters, suggesting suspended sediment or algal biomass dominates the optical signal.
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. Among the 187 graded lakes in St. Louis County, Simian Lake sits at rank 82, above the county median.
No invasive species are currently listed at Simian Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Simian 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 2024-10-03. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 3.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 25 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 5.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 52.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.9 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 25 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 5.5 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 52 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.276 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -7 µg/L/yr | 2 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +1.02 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #82 of 187 lakes in St. Louis County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Simian Lake holds Grade C. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BPat Martin LakeCarlton County · mi · Higher grade (C → B)
- BThird LakeCarlton County · mi · Higher grade (C → B)
- BWest Twin LakeSt. Louis County · mi · Higher grade (C → B)
- BLost LakeSt. Louis County · mi · Higher grade (C → B)
- BTwin LakeSt. Louis County · mi · Higher grade (C → B)
Nearby Lakes in St. Louis County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Simian Lake
Other Grade C Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
EPA Impairment Status
Simian Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2019 EPA reporting cycle.
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit FDL_118 · 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: 2024-10-03
Monitoring stations: 1