Taylor Lake Deep
Cook County, MinnesotaMesotrophic
On the LakeGrade rubric, Taylor Lake Deep pulls an A: clarity at 10.6 ft and 13 µg/L of phosphorus put it in the top bracket for Minnesota. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.
The lake sits in the mesotrophic zone — the band where most well-managed Minnesota lakes fall. 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. Taylor Lake Deep ranks 30 of 128 in Cook County, putting it in the upper tier of locally monitored lakes.
Taylor Lake Deep has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2022, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Taylor Lake Deep, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. 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 2022-09-20. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Good clarity, visible to about 10.6 ft. Phosphorus level: 13 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 3.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 42.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 10.6 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | 13 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.5 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 42 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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 | -2.78 µg/L/yr | 4 |
| Chlorophyll-a | → Stable | -0.01 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #30 of 128 lakes in Cook County
Nearby Lakes in Cook County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Taylor Lake Deep
Other Grade A Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2022-09-20
Monitoring stations: 2