Big Sand Lake

Big Sand Lake is located eight miles northeast of Park Rapids, Minnesota. It covers 1,659 acres and has a mostly round shape. Big Sand Lake has two inlets and one outlet, which classifies it as a drainage lake. The inlets enter from Emma Lake and a wetland area. The outlet is located at the south end of the lake, and flows through Ida Lake into Little Sand Lake. From Little Sand Lake, the water flows through many other lakes, and ends up draining into the Crow Wing River. Water quality data have been collected on Big Sand Lake since 1975 (Table 3). These data show that the lake is at the oligotrophic, which is characterized by clear water throughout the summer and excellent recreational opportunities. The Big Sand Lake Association was formed during the summer of 1988 and is "dedicated to the betterment and preservation of Big Sand Lake". They are active in many projects, including water quality monitoring, safety buoys, a newsletter, a resident directory and social activities. They are also a member of the Hubbard County Coalition of Lake Associations (COLA).