A long exposure photo of a sunset over a body of water, with the sky showing shades of purple, pink, and orange. The clouds create a streaked, dynamic pattern, and trees are silhouetted along the horizon.

about ten mile lake

PHOTO CREDIT: ERIC BRANDT IMAGES

TEN MILE LAKE IS ONE OF MINNESOTA’S MOST REMARKABLE NATURAL TREASURES - AND ONE OF ITS CLEAREST.

Formed more than 10,000 years ago by the retreat of the last glacier, Ten Mile Lake was created as massive blocks of ice melted, leaving behind the deep basin we enjoy today. Evidence of its glacial origins can still be found along the shoreline in the form of beautiful Lake Superior agates, a reminder of the glacier that once covered this region.

Today, Ten Mile Lake spans nearly 5,000 acres and reaches an impressive 208 feet deep, making it the third deepest lake in Minnesota. Despite its depth, the lake is known for its exceptional water clarity, with Secchi disk readings often exceeding 21 feet. Ten Mile supports a healthy ecosystem with excellent water quality and abundant aquatic vegetation that grows to depths of more than 30 feet.

healthy water doesn’t happen by accident

Ten Mile Lake is one of Minnesota's clearest and deepest lakes, holding an estimated 21.6 billion gallons of water along its 21 miles of shoreline.

For 75 years, the Ten Mile Lake Association has monitored the health of the lake through ongoing water quality research and environmental stewardship. This long-term data helps us better understand changes over time and guides our efforts to protect the lake for future generations.

protect our water
Map of Ten Mile Lake in Cass County, Minnesota, showing depth contours with a legend indicating depths from 10 to 210 feet, and statistics including area, volume, maximum, and average depths.
Map of lakes including Shingobee, Ten Mile Lake, Turtle Lake, Birch Lake, and Story Lake, with labeled roads and surrounding areas.
Map of the Ten Mile Lake area showing landmarks such as Birch Lake, Long Bay, and Birch Lake, with various beaches, points, and access points labeled in blue text.