Edina

ABOUT

image of a still lake with fall colored trees in background
Arrowhead Lake. Photo by: Jim Langseth

The District is conducting a water quality study on Arrowhead and Indianhead Lakes in Edina.

Project Description

Water quality studies help the District identify potential actions and projects which can help improve the water quality of a lake. Once a water quality study is completed, a feasibility study is done. The feasibility and preliminary engineering study further evaluate the feasibility of
the recommended management activities.

The draft Arrowhead and Indianhead Lakes Feasibility/Preliminary Engineering Study was completed in October 2023.

Arrowhead and Indianhead Lake Feasibility Study (DRAFT)

The Arrowhead and Indianhead water quality study was completed in early 2022.

Arrowhead and Indianhead Lake Water Quality Summary (Final)

Arrowhead and Indianhead Lake Water Quality Full Report (Final)

In addition to the water quality studies, the City of Edina also had fisheries surveys done on Arrowhead and Indianhead Lakes.

Arrowhead Fisheries Survey Report (2022)

Indianhead Fisheries and DO Profiles Survey Report (2022)

image of a still lake with fall colored trees in background
Indianhead Lake. Photo by: Dave Melmer

Public Hearing

Pursuant to Minnesota Statute 103B.251, the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District will hold a public hearing on November 2, 2023 at 5:30 p.m., at the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District office, 12800 Gerard Drive, Eden Prairie, MN, to receive comments on proposed Arrowhead and Indianhead Lakes Water Quality Projects (Projects) and consider ordering the Projects. The cost of the Projects –two alum and iron in-lake treatments two years apart on Arrowhead Lake, one alum and iron in-lake treatment on Indianhead Lake, and the installation of in-lake aeration systems on both lakes – is estimated at approximately $600,000. The Projects will be funded through a watershed-wide levy on property within the watershed. For more information contact Randy Anhorn at 952-835-2078.

Past Outreach

October 2023 Community Meeting

The Nine Mile Creek Watershed District held a meeting with the City of Edina to discuss the water quality in Arrowhead and Indianhead lakes. The City presented on it recent lake level study for flood risk reduction and watershed district engineers share proposed lake management activities to  improve the water quality in theses shallow lakes.

View the water quality presentation: AH IH Public Meeting Presentation Oct 2023 (pdf)

View the lake level presentation: AH IH_Lake Level Presentation_Oct 2023 (pdf)

Community Meeting Q & A

April 2022 Community Meeting

On April 19, 2022, a community meeting was held at Edina Public Works, where the results of the Arrowhead and Indianhead Lakes Water Quality Study were shared.

May 2021 Community Meeting

On May 25, 2021, District staff provided an overview of the lake water quality study process and goals for future management for these two lakes. The city provided an update on their lake level monitoring analysis of the lakes. If you were unable to attend the virtual meeting, you can view the recording, below.

Lake User Survey

Thank you to everyone who took the lake user survey. The survey provided community feedback to Nine Mile Creek Watershed District staff, engineers, and the board of managers, along with the City of Edina. The feedback helped assist in the evaluation of management strategies designed to improve the health of Arrowhead Lake and Indianhead Lake. The survey targeted lakeshore owners and was active July 9 – August 16, 2021. 31 responses were received.

Read the survey summary: Arrowhead Lake and Indianhead Lake Feedback Survey

Shallow Lakes Webinar

Learn more about shallow lakes and their functions and values. What does a shallow lake look like, and why are plants so important? What are the rules and regulations regarding shallow lakes? Joe Bischoff, a Senior Aquatic Ecologist and Certified Lake Manger with Barr Engineering Co, presented a webinar on April 12 to answer these questions and more.

View the full recording: Shallow Lakes Webinar Recording

More information

Check this page as we will update it when we have new information. For questions on the lake study process or on Indianhead or Arrowhead Lake, contact Erica Sniegowski, District Administrator, at 952-358-2276.