Bloomington
Study Description:
The district is conducting a current water quality study on the Anderson chain of lakes which includes Southwest Anderson Lake, Southeast Anderson Lake, and Northwest Anderson Lake. In 2005, the watershed district completed a water quality study for the Anderson Lakes. At that time, the water quality study identified curly-leaf pondweed, an aquatic invasive species, as a threat to lake health and conducted management activities.
Because it’s been over 10 years since the district completed a management activity on these lakes, the district’s board of managers have approved a scope of work to assess the status of current lake health and identify protection and management actions as needed. This study will look at:
- Historical in-lake data i.e. lake nutrient levels, aquatic plant populations, fisheries, and lake levels
- An analysis of upland habitat and land-use
- Reevaluation of lake goals and management techniques
Study Updates:
At the May 20th, 2026, board meeting the NMCWD Board of Managers accepted the final report: Anderson Lake Protection Strategy.
At the June 3rd, 2026, board workshop the NMCWD Board of Managers ordered a herbicide treatment project to manage aquatic invasive species (AIS) to be applied in fall 2026, dependent on permit approval by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
August 5, 2026 The NMCWD board received comments on the proposed reconstruction of a water-control structure between Southeast Anderson Lake in Bloomington and Southwest Anderson Lake in Eden Prairie. After the hearing, the board will consider ordering the project.
August 19, 2026 The NMCWD Board of Managers ordered the Southeast Anderson Outlet Modification project.
The concept design for the outlet reconstruction included:
• Removing all existing storm infrastructure and replacing with a new control structure and storm
sewer pipes.
• Designing the control structure to allow water to flow from Southwest Anderson to Southeast
Anderson under low water level conditions to promote water movement across the basins.
• Designing the control structure to allow flow from Southeast Anderson to Southwest Anderson
under high water conditions, but requiring discharge to flow through a screen to minimize the
movement of AIS downstream.
• Considerations for long-term maintenance access.
The scope of work for this project builds off of the data analysis and concept design developed during the
Anderson Lakes Protection Strategy study.
Tentative Schedule:
August-September 2026: Kick-off meetings
August-September: 2026 Field investigations and desktop review
October 2026-April/May 2027: Final design
January-May 2027: Environmental permitting
April/May-June 2027: Bidding and contracting support
October 2027-June 2028 Construction administration and oversight
April 2027: Presentation to MNCWD Board of Managers
Past Studies:
In response to the study, the district completed the following water quality improvement projects:
- Anderson Lakes Water Quality Study (2005)
- 2008 Southwest and Northwest Anderson lakes drawdown
- 2012 Southwest Anderson Lake alum treatment
- 2008-2013 Southeast Anderson Lake herbicide treatments
- Water Quality Monitoring Report 2024:
- Water Quality Study Scope of Work (2025)
Outreach:
Past Community Meetings
- On February 11, 2026, the watershed district held an informal public meeting for Southeast, Southwest and Northwest Anderson Lakes. The presentation from that meeting is linked below.
Anderson Lakes Chain Public Meeting #2 February 11, 2026
- On August 19th, 2025, the watershed district held an informal public meeting for Southeast, Southwest and Northwest Anderson Lakes. The presentation from that meeting is linked below.
Anderson Lakes Chain Public Meeting #1 August 19, 2025 presentation
- On September 17th, 2024, the watershed district held a community meeting with the surrounding lake shore owners on Southeast Anderson Lake. At the meeting, staff from the watershed district gave a short presentation on lake health and past projects. There was also an opportunity for the attendees to voice concerns they have about the lake which helped inform the areas of focus within the current water quality study’s scope.
Questions?
Contact Jordan Wein, Water Resources Project Manager, at 952-800-8307 or jwein@ninemilecreek.org