Simian Lake
St. Louis County, MinnesotaEutrophic
Simian 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.
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 78, 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.
Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Murky, only visible to about 4.5 ft. Phosphorus level: 25 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 4.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.5 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 25 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 4.6 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 6 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 | +1.64 µg/L/yr | 6 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #78 of 187 lakes in St. Louis County
Nearby Lakes in St. Louis County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Simian Lake
Other Grade B 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: 2024-10-03
Monitoring stations: 1