Edina
ABOUT
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)
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.
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)
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.
View video summary
A recording of the presentation from the May 25, 2021, community meeting about the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District’s water quality study of Arrowhead and Indianhead Lakes in Edina. It is presented by water resources engineers from Barr Engineering, the District’s engineering firm.
Both lakes are landlocked, with no outlet, and were last studied in 2006. The new study looks at how water quality has changed, where the lakes’ nutrients come from, and what management might help.
- Shallow lake basics: phosphorus and nitrogen reach the lakes from leaves, grass clippings, and other runoff carried by storm drains and over land. They also come from inside the lake: from nutrient-rich sediment when oxygen near the bottom runs low, and from the invasive curly-leaf pondweed, which dies off in early summer. Too many nutrients cause algae blooms, including harmful blue-green algae.
- A healthy shallow lake has diverse native plants, shoreline buffers, and a balanced fishery.
- Possible in-lake management: alum treatments to keep phosphorus locked in the sediment, continued curly-leaf pondweed control and winter aeration with the City of Edina, and restoring native plants.
- Possible watershed management: stormwater treatment when properties are redeveloped, treatment projects on public land, and community efforts like street sweeping, shoreline buffers, less fertilizer, rain gardens, fall leaf cleanup, and Adopt-a-Drain.
- Early data: both lakes have recently exceeded state standards for phosphorus and chlorophyll-a (a measure of algae), blue-green algae counts have risen, and 2020 surveys found only two plant species in Arrowhead Lake and three in Indianhead Lake.
The presenters advise “when in doubt, stay out”: keep people and pets out of the water whenever a blue-green algae bloom might be present.
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 952-658-9024.