Safest Lakes to Swim Near Moorhead
Minnesota
2 lakes within driving distance of Moorhead, Minnesota pass our swim-safety screen — grade A/B water, low algae, and public access. 0 have direct bacteria (E. coli) testing on record. Filtered for grade A or B water quality, low algae (chlorophyll-a under 15 µg/L), and public access. Always check local advisories on the day you swim.
Lakes near Moorhead are sparser (2 graded lakes within reach), so the choices are limited. Turtle Lake (A) is the standout.
Filtered for swimming, the nearby-lake list narrows further. swimming-specific signals — fish species, public access, depth profile, motor-boat congestion — interact with the LakeGrade rubric in different ways depending on the use case.
| # | Lake | County | Grade | Swim Safety | Distance | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turtle Lake | Becker | A | Low algae | 28.8 mi | 23 ft | 73 ft |
| 2 | Beseau Lake | Becker | B | Low algae | 29.4 mi | 7.7 ft | 27 ft |
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.