HomeMy WebLinkAboutLake_Edina_Summary1960s1930s 2021
Lake Edina
Watershed District: Nine Mile Creek Public water ID: 27002900
Lake Management
Diverse aquatic vegetation is critical to the health of
Edina Lakes—providing food and shelter for sh and
waterfowl and improving water quality. Invasive plant
species within the lake are shown above.
Curly-leaf pondweed can be harmful to overall lake
health. The invasive, non-native aquatic plant grows
under the ice during the winter and grows in early
spring, often crowding out native species. It dies in late
June and early July, much earlier than other native
species. As curly-leaf pondweed decays, phosphorus is
released into the water, fueling algal production and
causing oxygen depletion which can lead to sh kills.
Eurasian watermilfoil is a rooted, submerged aquatic
plant, and purple loosestrife is a colorful, perennial
wetland plant. Both species outcompete native plants,
and neither provides suitable shelter, food, or nesting
habitat for native animals.
Denotes current Lake Edina drainage area; historical
drainage areas may have varied
2015
General submerged aquatic plant treatments
stop with the implementation of Edina’s Lakes
and Ponds policy, which prioritizes treatment
based on a series of factors, including water
body size, level of impairment, citizen
involvement, and public use.
1978
The MN DNR
issues a permit to
control submerged
plants in Lake Edina.
2015
Water balance study is completed
by NMCWD; results indicate low
water levels are primarily the result
of lower- than-average snowpack
during the winter of 2014–2015.
2016
Based on water quality
indicators, the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency
lists Lake Edina as impaired
due to excessive nutrients.
2017
The Minnesota
DNR lists Lake
Edina as infested
with Eurasian
watermilfoil.
2019
Water quality study developed by the NMCWD.
The report shows water quality in Lake Edina is
highly inuenced by the water quality of the
upstream Lake Cornelia. Accordingly, the primary
recommended management strategy is to address
water quality conditions in Lake Cornelia.
2020
The City of Edina begins
efforts to control curly-leaf
pondweed. Eliminating this
invasive species improves the
native aquatic plant community.
2020
Water quality
report for
NMCWD shows
poor water quality.
2020
NMCWD completes an alum
treatment on Lake Cornelia,
expected to lower phosphorus
levels in both Cornelia and
downstream Lake Edina.
2020
The Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency completes a Total Maximum
Daily Load (TMDL) study. A TMDL
identies pollution sources and and
estimates pollution reductions needed
to meet water quality standards.
2008
First observations of
curly-leaf pondweed
(CLP) in Lake Edina.
The plant is found
periodically over the
next 13 years.
2020-2021
High phosphorus concentrations
encourage excessive growth of
blue-green algae. Blue-green
algae can be harmful if it is
ingested, inhaled, or comes in
contact with the skin.
Aquatic Plants Water LevelsWater Quality
Water quality data is available from the Nine Mile Creek
Watershed District for the years 2012, 2015, 2017, and
2020. Summer-average highs and lows of water quality
parameters over those years are provided above.
The available data shows Lake Edina generally fails to
meet the state's goals for shallow lakes. Elevated total
phosphorus levels promote algal growth, which reduces
water clarity.
Recent water quality data
Algae Level
(Chlorophyll-a)
Water
Clarity
Total Phosphorous
Levels
20 g/L
60 g/L
146
59
State goalsHighestLowest
77
16
4 ftMax
ft
Min
Lake Edina is a shallow lake located in southeast Edina,
just east of Highway 100 and north of Industrial Boulevard.
There is no public access to Lake Edina. The Nine
Mile Creek Regional trail passes along the west side
of the lake for 0.3 miles. Non-motorized boats only.
Amenities:Lake depth
Land use 2022: Land use within the watershed is mainly low-density residential, with smaller portions of high-density
residential, commercial, institutional (Cornelia Elementary School), park, wetland, and open-water areas.
24 acres
surface area
1.0 mile
shoreline
2.9 ft Mean2
3
395 acres
drainage area
History of
Lake Edina
How You Can Help
Steps that you can take to
help Lake Edina include:
Curly-leaf pondweed
Purple
loosestrife
Eurasian
watermilol
Learn more about these strategies at ninemilecreek.org
100
NMCWD = Nine Mile Creek Watershed District
Interactive ood map
Water resources library
Find more information
from the City of Edina:
1964-2002, 2012-2022
Water level data is from the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources and Nine Mile Creek Watershed District.
Lowest recorded
water level:
818.0 ft
(February 9, 1982)
Highest recorded
water level:
825.4 ft
(July 24, 1987)
1.0
Meters
0.2 Meters
0.8 Meters
Installing rain gardens
and planting
shoreline buffers
Cleaning up grass
clippings and leaves
Participating in the
adopt-a-drain program
(mn.adoptadrain.org)
Redirecting gutter
downspouts towards
vegetated areas
Minimizing use of
fertilizer on lawns