Uhlenkolts Lake

On the LakeGrade rubric Uhlenkolts Lake fails the cutoffs — a TSI of 81 and persistent algal pressure put it in the bottom tier. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.

The hypereutrophic status — TSI 81 — reflects sustained heavy nutrient loading from the surrounding watershed and frequent algal pressure. Uhlenkolts Lake reaches 18 ft at its deepest point — typical for Minnesota mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. At 250 acres, Uhlenkolts Lake fits the Minnesota median for monitored lakes, with 4.7 miles of shoreline. Uhlenkolts Lake ranks 53 of 55 in Stearns County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.

No invasive species are currently listed at Uhlenkolts Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Uhlenkolts Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. A documented public access point at Uhlenkolts Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. 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.