HomeMy WebLinkAboutMirror_Lake_SummaryHistory of Lake
1960s1930s 2021
~1995
A pumped outlet is installed on the
southwest side of the landlocked
lake to alleviate high lake levels.
Water pumped from Mirror Lake
ows southwest to the storm sewer
system along Blake Road.
Mirror Lake
Algae Level
(Chlorophyll-a)
Water ClarityTotal Phosphorous
Levels
Watershed District: Nine Mile Creek Public water ID: 27005500
20 g/L
60 g/L
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 plant grows under the ice
during the winter and is generally the rst
pondweed to come up in the spring. 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 depleting oxygen.
Purple loosestrife is a colorful, perennial wetland
plant. Like curly-leaf pondweed, it outcompetes
native plants and does not provide suitable shelter,
food, or nesting habitat for native animals.
Denotes current Mirror Lake drainage area;
historical drainage areas may have varied
2004
A lake study for NMCWD concluded that the
cause of Mirror Lake's water quality problem was
excess phosphorus from stormwater runoff and
internal sources. Internal sources include mid
season die-back of curly-leaf pondweed and
phosphorus from lake bottom sediments.
Mirror Lake is a landlocked basin in the northwest portion of Edina. Water levels
within the lake are controlled by a pump installed to manage the water elevation
(approximately 908.5 feet).
2015
General submerged plant
treatments stop with the
implementation of Edina’s Lakes
and Ponds policy, which prioritizes
treatment based on a series of
factors, including waterbody size,
level of impairment, resident
involvement, and public use.
1982
Water quality study is
completed. The study
recommends the development
of a water quality management
program to address dense
aquatic weed and algae growth.
2019
Water quality report for
NMCWD shows poor water
quality. Aquatic plant data shows
that the number of plant species
and quality of the plant
community is poor.
2019
Curly-leaf pondweed
found and treated in
seven spots.
2022
The City of Edina conducts an
aquatic plant survey. Curly-leaf
pondweed is found and treated.
The 2004 water quality study will
be updated by NMCWD, including
recommendations for management
activities to improve lake health.
2022
NMCWD will
conduct a sh survey
of Mirror Lake.
Aquatic Plants Water LevelsWater Quality
23 acres
(surface area)
1.4 miles
(shoreline)
282 acres
(drainage area)
yellow perch
Recent water quality data
Mirror Lake has no public boat access.
Motorboats are not allowed, except for
emergency rescue or maintenance.
Land use 2022: The Mirror Lake watershed is primarily single-family residential land
use, but also includes a portion of the Interlachen Country Club golf course.
Amenities:goldsh
(invasive)
104
89
46 30
State goalsHighestLowest
0.4 Meters
0.6 Meters
The lake is not stocked with sh,
but there is anecdotal evidence
of goldsh and perch
Fish
population:
How You Can Help
Steps that you can take to
help Mirror Lake include:
15 ftMax
5.4 ft Avg.
121312
7
101111
8
ftMin ftMin
Lake depth
12
Learn more about these strategies at ninemilecreek.org
1963-2002, 2012-2022
Water level data is from the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources and Nine Mile Creek Watershed District
NMCWD = Nine Mile Creek Watershed District
Interlachen Blvd
Water quality data is available from Nine Mile Creek
Watershed District for the years 2012 and 2019.
Summer-averages highs and lows of water quality
parameters over those years are provided above.
The available data shows Mirror Lake fails to meet
the state's goals for water quality within shallow
lakes. Elevated total phosphorus levels promote algal
growth, which reduces water clarity.
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
Interactive ood map
Water resources library
Find more information
from the City of Edina:
Lowest recorded
water level:
905.7 ft
(April 30, 2015)
Highest recorded
water level:
909.4 ft
(June 27, 2014)
1.0
Meters
Curly-leaf
pondweed
Purple
loosestrife