Turtle Lake Inlet
Cook County, MinnesotaLimited Data
Turtle Lake Inlet earns an F: phosphorus readings still being added and clarity at -324.8 ft signal heavy nutrient loading from the surrounding watershed. Clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.
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. Turtle Lake Inlet ranks 132 of 137 in Cook County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.
Turtle Lake Inlet has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2025, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Turtle Lake Inlet, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-07-22. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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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 #132 of 137 lakes in Cook County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Turtle Lake Inlet holds Grade F. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Cook County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Turtle 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: 2025-07-22
Monitoring stations: 1
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