Big Carnelian Lake Water Temperature
Big Carnelian Lake in Washington County, Minnesota typically sits around 71°F at the surface in September — warmest in Aug (~77°F) and coldest in May (~62°F). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Typical water temperature by month
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (62°F) to its warmest (77°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 31 field readings (2022–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. Months with too few readings are left blank.
Is Big Carnelian Lake warm enough to swim?
Pleasant for swimming — the range most people find enjoyable without a wetsuit.
Want more than temperature? Big Carnelian Lake water quality: clarity, algae, phosphorus, depth, fish species, and current advisories, all on one page.
Water temperatures at nearby Minnesota lakes
Summer average ~55°F
Summer average ~62°F
Summer average ~58°F
Summer average ~73°F
Summer average ~60°F
Summer average ~57°F
Explore water temperatures
Where to stay near Big Carnelian Lake
Planning a swim or lake trip? Compare cabins, lodges, and vacation rentals near Big Carnelian Lake — live availability and prices. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Big Carnelian Lake
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the water temperature of Big Carnelian Lake?
Big Carnelian Lake typically sits around 71°F at the surface in September, from 31 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2022–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
When is Big Carnelian Lake warmest?
Surface water at Big Carnelian Lake is typically warmest in August, reaching about 77°F. Lake surface temperature lags air temperature by several weeks, so the warmest water usually arrives in mid-to-late summer even though the hottest air can come earlier.
Is Big Carnelian Lake warm enough to swim?
At its typical summer peak of about 73°F, Big Carnelian Lake rates as "comfortable" for swimming. Pleasant for swimming — the range most people find enjoyable without a wetsuit.
Where does this Big Carnelian Lake water temperature data come from?
Every temperature on this page is a typical (climatological) value computed from real surface-water field readings collected by state and federal agencies and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal — 31 readings from 1 monitoring station between 2022 and 2025. They describe what is typical for each month, not the temperature right now.
About this data
Water temperatures are a climatology — the typical value for each month, averaged from real surface-water field readings collected by state and federal agencies and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. They tell you what to expect, not the temperature at this moment. Actual conditions vary with recent weather, depth, and time of day.