Sunset Pond
Sunset Pond in Dakota County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 4.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 48 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 5.2 µg/L. Maximum depth: 10.5 ft. Surface area: 44.45 acres.
- Clarity
- 4.9 ft
- Typical in August
- 74°F
- Max depth
- 10.5 ft
- Area
- 44 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Public access
- No
Next lake in Dakota County
Sunset Pond is a 44-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Dakota County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 11 feet (3-foot average). Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Limited fish-species data available. No public access — the lake is private or restricted. Compared to the 44 other monitored lakes in Dakota County, Sunset Pond ranks #24 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-09-30. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Murky, only visible to about 4.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 48 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 5.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 54.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.9 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 48 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 5.2 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 54 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Sunset Pond
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Sunset Pond in Dakota County, Minnesota — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Sunset Pond
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Water Temperature
Sunset Pond typically sits around 74°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 76°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 81°F) and coldest in Apr (about 52°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 39 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Sunset Pond water temperature breakdown →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 10.5 ft |
| Average Depth | 3 ft |
| Surface Area | 44 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 3.5 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 93% |
| Public Access | No |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Fishing Sunset Pond
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Sunset Pond is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Sunset Lake (completed 1983), built primarily for flood risk reduction on the Minnesota River-TR; earth-type dam, 21 ft tall and 820 ft long.
- Surface area
- 8 ac
- Normal storage
- 30 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 200 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 5 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- City of Burnsville
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MN01012 · Operator website
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
4 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Sunset Pond under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Cargill Aghorizons - West Elevator DredgeSavage · 2.4 mi away · NPDES MN0062201Recent violation
- Cargill AghorizonsSavage · 1.9 mi away · NPDES MN0054445
- Kraemer Mining & Materials - BurnsvilleBurnsville · 2.4 mi away · NPDES MN0070432
- Kraemer Mining & Materials - BurnsvilleBurnsville · 2.5 mi away · NPDES MN0002224
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
County Ranking
Ranked #24 of 45 lakes in Dakota County
Nearby Lakes in Dakota County
Frequently asked questions about Sunset Pond
What is the water quality grade for Sunset Pond?
- Sunset Pond in Dakota County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 4.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 48 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 5.2 µg/L. Maximum depth: 10.5 ft. Surface area: 44.45 acres.
Is Sunset Pond safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Sunset Pond has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 5.2 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Sunset Pond?
- Sunset Pond typically sits around 74°F at the surface in August, from 39 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2024). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Sunset Pond?
- Sunset Pond has a maximum depth of 10.5 feet and an average depth of 3 feet. The lake covers 44.45 acres.
Explore Sunset Pond across LakeGrade
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Where this data comes from
47 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA47 samples · 2024
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- Analysis of Chlorophyll in Periphyton and Plankton
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder