Understanding Lake Water Quality Grades

Who We Are

Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is a local unit of government responsible for managing and protecting the water resources in one of the largest and most heavily-used urban watersheds in Minnesota.

The watershed stretches 178-square miles from St. Bonifacius to south Minneapolis and includes Lake Minnetonka, the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, Minnehaha Creek, and Minnehaha Falls. It includes eight major creeks, 129 lakes, and thousands of wetlands. Learn more about the watershed.

Lake Minnetonka Water Levels

Gray's Bay Dam is closed for the winter. Check back in the spring for water levels and dam discharge once the dam is reopened.

View real-time Minnehaha Creek flows
Read more about lake and creek levels
Learn more about Gray's Bay Dam
Learn more about paddling Minnehaha Creek

Lakes and Streams Contacts

For water quality contact:
Brian Beck
Research & Monitoring Program Manager
bbeck@minnehahacreek.org
952-641-4515

For dam operation and canoeing information contact:
Janna Jonely
Project and Land Management Technician
jjonely@minnehahacreek.org
952-641-4523

Subscribe to Splash

Sign up for Splash,
MCWD's periodic
e-news update.

Connect with us

Understanding Lake Water Quality Grades

The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District's water quality lake grading method was developed in 1989. The lake grade shows how one lake measures up compared to other area lakes and indicates the perceived condition of the open water. Three water quality measurements are combined to create each lake grade. However, there are also other factors that contribute to lake condition, including precipitation. aquatic plants, fisheries, harmful chemicals, and over-use.

Understanding Lake Water Quality Grades

The grades consider what is average or normal for lakes in a given area. What is a "C" in one part of the country might not be a "C" elsewhere. However, within the seven-county metro area, grades can be compared.

Lake Grade	Relative Ranking	Description
A	90% and up	Crystal clear, beautiful. These lakes are exceptional and can be enjoyed by recreation users without question or hesitation.
B	70 - 90%	Generally good water quality but algae may limit swimming, particularly toward the end of the summer.
C	30 - 70%	Average quality. Swimming, boating, and fishing may be undesirable relatively early in the season. Algae blooms occasionally.
D	10 - 30%	Severe algae problems. People are generally not interested in recreation on these lakes.
F	Lowest 10%	Not enjoyable. The lake would have severe limitations to recreational use.

The Three Water Quality Measurements

TP is the abbreviation of total phosphorus. Total phosphorus usually is a limited food source (nutrient) for algae and plants. An increase in total phosphorus relates closely to increased algae, frequency of algal blooms, and an increased quantity of blue-green algae.
CHL-A is the abbreviation of chlorophyll-a. Chlorophyll-a is the green pigment in algae and plants and is essential to photosynthesis. A measure of chlorophyll-a in the water estimates the algal abundance.
SD is the abbreviation of Secchi disk depth or water clarity. The lower the Secchi disk is visible, the clearer the water appears.

Improving Low Water Quality Lake Grades

Raising a lake's grade requires extra work. It may mean changes in drainage patterns, filtration, or detention of storm water. And not all lakes have the same potential (e.g. shallow lakes can have only so much Secchi disk visibility). But everyone plays a role in helping a lake live up to its full potential. For example, your home and yard may contribute to the poor quality of a neighborhood lake. Preventing pet waste, leaves, home and auto chemicals, and house gutters runoff from entering storm drains can help keep your lake or stream clean. Storm drains are a direct, untreated route to the nearest lake or stream.

Learn more about what you can do.

*Note: In 2007, the District added +/- to the lake grades to show minute changes in water quality. In 2015, MCWD discontinued the +/- portion of the lake grades.