HomeMy WebLinkAbout01_2025 Highland Score Your Shore Final Report2025 HIGHLAND LAKE
SCORE YOUR SHORE
ASSESSMENT
City of Edina
Edge Aquatic Services, LLC
Shoreline Importance
The shoreline is where land and water meet, providing an especially rich life zone for birds, pollinators,
fish, and other animals. The shoreline itself is part of a larger natural community and ecosystem. When
living on a lake, how you manage your shoreline, directly impacts the water quality in that lake and the
fisheries and wildlife found there.
Healthy, more natural shorelines are vital to good water quality in a lake and provide many benefits to
homeowners and the lake.
1. Native vegetation stabilizes shorelines and reduces erosion
a. Native vegetation has deeper roots that help stabilize soils more than turf grass
b. Protects against wind and wave action
2. The deep root system of native vegetation filters run off preventing nutrients and sediment from
flowing into a lake
3. Trees and vegetation provide homeowners privacy
4. Natural shorelines discourage large flocks of geese gathering on lawns
5. Native shoreline vegetation provides habitat for pollinators and dragonflies
a. Dragonflies are predators of mosquitoes helping with control
When shorelines are turf grass all the way to the water’s edge, there are no deep roots to hold the soil in
place. Thus, a lot of sediment washes into the lake - twelve times more than with a natural shoreline.
Sediment contains a lot of phosphorus and phosphorus leads to an increase in algae growth.
Score Your Shore Tool
Score Your Shore is a tool developed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) to
assess shoreline health on developed parcels around Highland Lake. The assessment scores 3
shoreline zones: Upland Zone, Shoreline Zone, and Aquatic Zone (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Three zones assessed in the Score Your Shore Assessment. Photo from the MNDNR.
Each zone has its own scoring rubric. The upland zone is assessed on trees, shrubs, and natural ground
cover with a maximum score of 65 points (Figure 2). The shoreline zone is assessed on trees & shrubs
and natural ground cover with a maximum score of 35 (Figure 3) and dominate shoreline type was noted
(natural, mowed, rip rap, etc.). The aquatic zone is assessed on emergent/floating leaf aquatic
vegetation, submerged aquatic vegetation, overhanging vegetation, and downed woody habitat with a
maximum score of 100 (Figure 4).
The total maximum score a property can receive is 200. Impervious surfaces such as pathways, sheds,
or patios, manicured lawns, removal of aquatic vegetation, etc. decrease overall score for each zone.
Figure 2. Upland zone scoring rubric developed by the MNDNR.
Figure 3. Shoreline zone scoring rubric developed by the MNDNR.
Figure 4. Aquatic zone scoring rubric developed by the MNDNR.
Results
The Highland Lake Score Your Shore survey was completed on 6/28/2025. 8 parcels were evaluated
using the rubric above. The results are divided into a series of tables and maps based on each zone
surveyed.
Terrestrial Zone Results
The terrestrial zone consists of the upland and shoreline zones. Below are results for each zone.
Upland Zone Results
Natural upland areas provide many benefits for lake health. It reduces erosion by holding sediments,
large root systems promote runoff infiltration and the uptake of nutrients and provides habitat for
wildlife. The maximum score for the upland zone is 65.
Table 1 shows the percentage of parcels in each grade for upland zone categories. Table 2 combines
upland trees, shrubs, and ground cover scores into an upland zone total score and quantifies the
proportion of properties with high quality habitat and those that need improvement.
Figure 5 shows the upland tree grade for each Highland Lake parcel. Figure 6 shows the upland shrub
grade for each parcel. Figure 7 shows the ground cover grade for each parcel. Figure 8 shows the total
upland zone score, which is the combination of upland trees, shrubs, and ground cover scores.
Table 1. Proportion of 8 Highland Lake parcels grades for upland zone categories.
Grade % of Lot Trees Shrubs Ground Cover
A 75-100 12.50% 12.50% 12.50%
B 50-75 37.50% 25.00% 12.50%
C 25-50 50.00% 62.50% 25.00%
D 1-24 0.00% 0.00% 50.00%
F 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Table 2. Combines upland trees, shrubs, and ground cover scores into an upland zone total score.
Total Upland Zone Rating Score Range % of Lots
High 50-65 12.50%
Moderate 35-50 37.50%
Low 20-35 50.00%
Very Low 0-20 0.00%
Figure 5. 2025 Highland Lake upland zone trees scores. 12.5% of parcels scored an A, 37.5% scored a B, 50% scored a C, 0%
scored a D, and 0 scored an F.
Figure 6. 2025 Highland Lake upland zone shrubs scores. 12.5% of parcels scored an A, 25% scored a B, 62.5% scored a C, 0%
scored a D, and 0% scored a F.
Figure 7. 2025 Highland Lake upland zone ground cover scores. 12.5% of parcels scored an A, 12.5% scored a B, 25% scored a C,
50% scored a D, and 0% scored a F.
Figure 8. 2025 upland zone total scores.
Shoreline Zone Results
Natural shorelines provide many benefits for lake health. It reduces erosion by holding sediments, large
root systems promote runoff infiltration and the uptake of nutrients and provides habitat for wildlife. The
maximum score for the shoreline zone is 35.
Table 3 shows the percentage of parcels in each grade for shoreline zone categories. Table 4 combines
shoreline trees, shrubs, and ground cover scores into a shoreline zone total score and quantifies the
proportion of properties with high quality habitat and those that need improvement. Table 5 lists the
different shoreline types found around Highland Lake and the percentage of parcels with that shoreline
type.
Figure 9 shows the shoreline tree and shrub grade for each Highland Lake parcel. Figure 10 shows the
shoreline ground cover grade for each parcel. Figure 11 shows the total shoreline zone score, which is
the combination of shoreline trees, shrubs, and ground cover scores. Figure 12 shows the dominant
shoreline type for each parcel.
Table 3. Proportion of 8 Highland Lake parcels grades for shoreline categories.
Grade % of Lot Trees & Shrubs Ground Cover
A 75-100 25.00% 100.00%
B 50-75 12.50% 0.00%
C 25-50 50.00% 0.00%
D 1-24 12.50% 0.00%
F 0 0.00% 0.00%
Table 4. Combines shoreline trees, shrubs, and ground cover scores into a shoreline zone total score.
Total Shoreline Zone Rating Score Range % of Lots
High 30-35 37.50%
Moderate 20-30 62.50%
Low 10-20 0.00%
Very Low 0-10 0.00%
Table 5. List of the different shoreline types found around Highland Lake and the percentage of parcels with that shoreline type.
Dominant Shoreline % of Parcels
Natural 100.00%
Figure 9. 2025 Highland Lake shoreline tree and shrub scores. 25% of parcels scored an A, 12.5% scored a B, 50% scored a C,
12.5% scored a D, and 0% scored an F.
Figure 10. 2025 Highland Lake shoreline ground cover scores. 100% of parcels scored an A.
Figure 11. 2025 Highland Lake shoreline zone total scores.
Figure 12. Dominate shoreline type for Highland Lake parcels.
Terrestrial Zone Total Results
Table 6 combines upland and shoreline zone scores for a total terrestrial and quantifies the proportion
of properties with high quality habitat and those that need improvement. Figure 13 shows the total
terrestrial score for each Highland Lake parcel.
Table 6. Combined upland and shoreline zone scores for a total terrestrial score and the percentage of parcels in each rating.
Total Terrestrial Rating Score Range % of Lots
High 85-100 12.50%
Moderate 65-85 12.50%
Low 25-65 75.00%
Very Low 0-25 0.00%
Figure 13. 2025 Highland Lake terrestrial zone total scores.
Aquatic Zone Results
The aquatic zone consists of emergent and floating aquatic vegetation, submerged aquatic vegetation,
artificial openings in aquatic vegetation, overhanging terrestrial vegetation, and downed woody
vegetation. Below are results for each zone.
Emergent and Floating Aquatic Vegetation Results
Emergent and floating aquatic vegetation is extremely important for shoreline health and provides many
benefits. It reduces erosion by decreasing wave action, it absorbs nutrients from runoff, and it provides
habitat for fish and wildlife. The maximum score for emergent and floating vegetation is 40. Table 7
shows the percentage of Highland Lake Parcel grades for emergent and floating aquatic vegetation.
Figure 14 shows the emergent and floating aquatic vegetation scores for each Highland Lake parcel.
Table 7. Proportion of 8 Highland Lake parcels grades for emergent and floating vegetation.
Grade % of Shoreline Score % of Lots
A 75-100 40 62.50%
B 50-75 30 12.50%
C 25-50 20 12.50%
D 1-24 10 12.50%
F 0 0 0.00%
Figure 14. 2025 Highland Lake aquatic zone emergent and floating vegetation scores. 62.5% of parcels scored an A, 12.5% scored
a B, 12.5% scored a C, 12.5% scored a D, and 0% scored an F.
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Results
Submerged aquatic vegetation is extremely important for shoreline health and provides many benefits.
It reduces erosion by decreasing wave action, it absorbs nutrients from runoff, and it provides habitat
for fish and wildlife. The maximum score for aquatic vegetation is 35. Table 8 shows the percentage of
Highland Lake Parcel scores for submerged aquatic vegetation. Figure 15 shows the submerged aquatic
vegetation scores for each Highland Lake parcel.
Table 8. Proportion of 8 Highland Lake parcels scores for submerged aquatic vegetation.
Rating Score % of Lots
Abundant 35 100.00%
Sparse 15 0.00%
Absent 0 0.00%
Figure 15. 2025 Highland Lake Aquatic Zone submerged aquatic vegetation scores. 100% of parcels scored abundant.
Openings in Aquatic Vegetation Results
Unnatural openings in aquatic vegetation are areas in submerged vegetation that have been removed by
landowners. Openings can be used for watercraft navigation or a beach area. The maximum score is 5.
Table 9 shows the percentage of Highland Lake Parcel scores for unnatural openings in submerged
aquatic vegetation stands. Figure 16 shows the openings in submerged aquatic vegetation scores for
each Highland Lake parcel.
Table 9. Proportion of 8 Highland Lake parcels scores for unnatural openings in submerged aquatic vegetation.
Rating Score % of Lots
No Opening 5 100.00%
Opening Present 0 0.00%
Figure 16. 2025 Highland Lake aquatic zone unnatural openings in submerged aquatic vegetation. 100% of parcels exhibited no
opening and 0% exhibited an unnatural opening.
Overhanging Terrestrial Vegetation Results
Overhanging terrestrial vegetation describes vegetation that hangs from the shoreline into the surface of
the water. It provides habitat for fish, macroinvertebrates, and other wildlife. Maximum score is 10.
Table 10 shows the percentage of Highland Lake Parcel scores for overhanging vegetation. Figure 17
shows overhanging vegetation scores for each Highland Lake parcel.
Table 10. Proportion of 8 Highland Lake parcels scores for overhanging vegetation.
Rating Score % of Lots
Present 10 87.50%
Absent 0 12.50%
Figure 17. 2025 Highland Lake aquatic zone overhanging vegetation. 87.5% of parcels exhibited overhanging vegetation and 12.5%
exhibited no overhanging vegetation.
Downed Woody Vegetation Results
Downed woody vegetation describes fallen trees and shrubs that residents have left in the water. Like
overhanging vegetation downed woody vegetation provides habitat for fish, macroinvertebrates, and
other wildlife. Maximum score is 10. Table 11 shows the percentage of Highland Lake Parcel scores for
downed woody habitat. Figure 18 shows downed woody habitat scores for each Highland Lake parcel.
Table 11. Proportion of 8 Highland Lake parcels scores for downed woody habitat.
Rating Score % of Lots
Present 10 87.50%
Absent 0 12.50%
Figure 18. 2025 Highland Lake Aquatic Zone downed woody vegetation. 87.5% of parcels exhibited downed woody vegetation and
12.5% exhibited no downed woody vegetation.
Total Aquatic Zone Results
Table 12 combines emergent and floating aquatic vegetation, submerged aquatic vegetation, artificial
openings in aquatic vegetation, overhanging terrestrial vegetation, and downed woody vegetation and
shows the proportion of properties with high quality habitat and those that need improvement. The
maximum score is 100. Figure 19 shows the total aquatic zones score for each Highland Lake parcel.
Table 12. Combined all aquatic zone scores for a total aquatic zone score and the percentage of parcels in each rating.
Total Aquatic Zone Score Score Range % of Lots
High 85-100 62.50%
Moderate 65-85 37.50%
Low 25-65 0.00%
Very Low 0-25 0.00%
Figure 19. 2025 Highland Lake Aquatic Zone total scores.
Total Score
The total score combines terrestrial and aquatic zone scores. The maximum score is 200.
Table 13. Total scores and the percentage of parcels in each rating.
Rating Score Range % of Lots
High 170-200 0%
Moderate 130-170 100.00%
Low 50-130 0.00%
Very Low 0-50 0.00%
Figure 20. 2025 Highland Lake total scores.
Appendix
Table 14. Individual property scores labeled with parcel ID.
PID Upland
Trees
Upland
Shrubs
Upland
Ground
Shoreline
Trees &
Shrubs
Shoreline
Ground
Emergent and
Floating Aquatic
Vegetation
Submerged
Aquatic
Vegetation
Unnatural
Openings
Overhanging
Terrestrial
Vegetation
Downed
Woody
Habitat
Dominant
Shoreline
2911721420001 18 10 5 10 15 40 35 5 10 10 Natural
2911721420001 18 10 5 15 15 40 35 5 10 10 Natural
2911721420001 13 10 5 20 15 20 35 5 10 10 Natural
2911721420001 25 20 20 20 15 10 35 5 10 10 Natural
2911721420001 13 10 15 10 15 30 35 5 10 10 Natural
2911721420001 13 10 5 5 15 40 35 5 10 10 Natural
2911721420001 13 15 10 10 15 40 35 5 10 10 Natural
2911721420001 18 15 10 10 15 40 35 5 0 0 Natural