Water Facts:

10,000 Lakes

The land of 10,000 lakes actually has 11,842 lakes that are 10 acres or larger in siz.

How are lakes defined in Minnesota?

A lake may be defined as an enclosed basin filled or partly filled with water. A lake may have an inlet and/or an outlet stream, or it may be completely enclosed (landlocked). Generally, a lake is an area of open, relatively deep water that is large enough to produce a wave-swept shore. 

Lakes provide a vital habitat for fish and wildlife, as well as a place for people to fish, hunt, trap, boat, and swim. However, other important benefits provided by these waters are less obvious:

• Substantial amounts of water are stored in these areas and it can seep into the ground to recharge groundwater aquifers.


• Lakes, wetlands, and streams can store excess water in times of flooding and provide an important reserve of surface water during times of drought. These areas are nature's water treatment systems. They provide an ideal environment for aquatic vegetation and animal organisms to purify the water we have contaminated with suspended soil (erosion), nutrients (from fertilizers and animal wastes), and other pollutants.