Lake · Otter Tail County · MN
Is Walker Lake safe to swim?
No advisory or algae bloom reported for this water today.
Updated August 20, 2026 · EPA CyAN satellite
No bacteria advisory or sampling for this water.
No blue-green algae bloom detected in the latest clear satellite image. This is a satellite estimate, not a safety guarantee, and does not replace an official advisory.
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Walker Lake is clear today. Be the first to know when it's not.
SwimZone checks this water every day and pings you the moment a bacteria or algae advisory goes up.
What's in the water at Walker Lake right now
As of August 20, 2026, Walker Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota has no advisory posted. EPA's CyAN satellite detected no blue-green algae bloom in the latest clear image (August 19, 2026), which is an estimate, not a guarantee. Modeled rainfall over the past week was about 1.6 in (Open-Meteo, a gridded estimate that can differ from a local gauge), which can wash bacteria and nutrients into the water.
Blue-green algae at Walker Lake
Walker Lake is a lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota covering about 0.9 sq mi, the 473rd-largest of the 975 lakes SwimZone monitors in Minnesota. EPA's CyAN satellite detected no blue-green algae bloom in the latest clear image (August 19, 2026), which is an estimate, not a guarantee.
Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms are most common from midsummer into early fall, when the water is warm, calm, and rich in nutrients from runoff. They can produce toxins that make people sick and can be rapidly fatal to dogs, so skip water that looks green, scummy, or like spilled paint, and keep children and pets out of it.
Bloom history at Walker Lake
From EPA CyAN's satellite archive
Each bar is that summer's peak EPA CyAN satellite estimate (log scale); the red cap is the part above the bloom-level threshold. Satellite estimates, not water samples or posted advisories.
Over 7 summers of EPA CyAN satellite imagery since 2020, Walker Lake has shown a satellite-estimated bloom-level signal in 4 of them, most recently in September 2024. Its highest satellite estimate was about 450,000 cells/mL in August 2021. These are satellite estimates, not water samples or posted advisories; check your state or county health department for official status.
When to swim at Walker Lake
It is currently peak season for blue-green algae, when warm, calm water lets blooms form fastest. This lake has bloomed in 4 of 7 monitored summers, historically peaking around August. Early summer, before the water fully warms, has generally been the safer window here; check the current read before you go either way.
Frequently asked: swimming in Walker Lake
- Is it safe to swim in Walker Lake right now?
- Walker Lake has no advisory posted today. EPA's CyAN satellite detected no blue-green algae bloom in the latest clear image (August 19, 2026), which is an estimate, not a guarantee. Conditions can change quickly with wind, heat, and rain, so check the posted signs and look at the water before you get in.
- Does Walker Lake have blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)?
- EPA's CyAN satellite detected no blue-green algae bloom at Walker Lake in the latest clear image (August 19, 2026). This is a satellite estimate below the sensor's detection limit, not a guarantee: cyanobacteria can appear within hours in warm, calm, nutrient-rich water, so look before you swim.
- Can dogs swim in Walker Lake?
- No bloom is detected at Walker Lake today, but dogs are much more vulnerable to blue-green algae than people, and blooms can form within hours. Always keep dogs away from water that looks green, scummy, or discolored, and rinse them off after swimming.
- How often does Walker Lake have blue-green algae blooms?
- Over 7 summers of EPA CyAN satellite imagery since 2020, Walker Lake has shown a satellite-estimated bloom-level signal in 4 of them, most recently in September 2024. Its highest satellite estimate was about 450,000 cells/mL in August 2021. These are satellite estimates, not water samples or posted advisories; check your state or county health department for official status.
- How many Minnesota lakes and beaches are unsafe for swimming today?
- Today, 0 Minnesota waters are above a safe-contact threshold and 451 more warrant caution, out of 1178 monitored waters SwimZone tracks in the state.
- How is Walker Lake's water quality measured?
- SwimZone builds this read from EPA CyAN satellite imagery for blue-green algae, official beach and fecal-bacteria advisories where a program monitors Walker Lake, and a recent-rainfall overlay, all refreshed daily. It was last updated August 20, 2026.
Before you swim: the basics
Swim spots near Walker Lake
All Minnesota →All 6 monitored waters nearest Walker Lake are clear today.
| Water | Distance | Today | Algae read | Sampled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long LakeLake · Otter Tail County | 2.3 mi | No advisory | None detected | Aug 19 |
| Otter Tail LakeLake · Otter Tail County | 2.6 mi | No advisory | None detected | Aug 19 |
| Amor LakeLake · Otter Tail County | 4.0 mi | No advisory | None detected | Aug 19 |
| Head LakeLake · Otter Tail County | 4.6 mi | No advisory | None detected | Aug 19 |
| Dead LakeLake · Otter Tail County | 4.8 mi | No advisory | None detected | Aug 19 |
| Twin LakesLake · Otter Tail County | 5.2 mi | No advisory | None detected | Aug 19 |