Swede Lake Inlet
Cook County, MinnesotaLimited Data
Swede Lake Inlet earns an F: phosphorus readings still being added and clarity at -324.8 ft signal heavy nutrient loading from the surrounding watershed. Sub-grades cluster within a single letter of each other, which usually means the lake is in stable trophic balance rather than fighting one specific stressor.
There is not yet enough seasonal data to settle the lake's trophic classification — the TSI window remains too narrow to call. 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. Swede Lake Inlet ranks 125 of 128 in Cook County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.
Swede Lake Inlet has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2021, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Swede Lake Inlet, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2021-06-15. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than -324.8 ft of visibility.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | -324.8 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data |
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -10.222 m/yr | 4 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -2.19 µg/L/yr | 4 |
| Chlorophyll-a | → Stable | -0.03 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #125 of 128 lakes in Cook County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Swede Lake Inlet holds Grade F. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ATaylor Lake DeepCook County · 0.8 mi · Two grade letters higher (F → A)
- BNorth Lake DeepCook County · 0.3 mi · Two grade letters higher (F → B)
- CTurtle Lake DeepCook County · 0.2 mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
Nearby Lakes in Cook County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Swede Lake Inlet
Other Grade F Lakes in Minnesota
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2021-06-15
Monitoring stations: 1