As part of its Integrated Pest Management Plan for Common Carp, the Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District has been working to identify carp spawning areas connected to Upper Prior Lake, block carp from accessing these areas, and removing any existing carp from these waterbodies to stop reproduction. One of the areas identified and confirmed as a carp spawning area is the Northwood Pond wetland on the west side of Upper Prior Lake along Northwood Road NW. A map of this area is shown below:
What’s wrong with carp? Common carp that are in this system not only pose water quality damage to Upper Prior Lake, but also to this wetland. The bottom-feeding habits of carp stir up the sediment on the bottom of waterbodies, causing the excess release of internal phosphorus which feeds algae. In addition, carp can uproot native vegetation and decrease fish & wildlife habitat. Removing carp from the Northwoods Pond wetland would improve the water quality in both Upper Prior Lake (connected to the Northwood Pond by an underground pipe) and in the wetland itself.
How can the carp be removed? Normal methods of carp removal (e.g. electrofishing and netting) aren’t suitable for this wetland with its low water levels, dense vegetation, and many obstructions. The recommended removal method for the Northwood Pond would be to drawdown the wetland to achieve low water levels from roughly November to March/April, allowing the wetland to freeze solid over the winter moths. This activity is intended to winterkill the remaining carp in the system. Once the water begins to thaw again in the spring, the wetland would be brought back up to the normal water level.
Public Hearing Scheduled: As part of the MnDNR permitting process for this project, a public hearing is scheduled for November 10, 2020 at the PLSLWD regular Board Meeting which is located at Prior Lake City Hall. The meeting will begin at 6pm and the public hearing will be one of the first items on the agenda. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend this public hearing with any comments on the drawdown activity on the Northwoods Pond. For those not able to attend the meeting, comments can also be provided to Maggie Karschnia at 952-447-9808 or mkarschnia@plslwd.org and those comments will be recited at the public hearing.
Public Hearing at the PLSLWD Board Meeting
Northwood Pond Wetland Drawdown
November 10, 2020 at 6pm
Prior Lake City Hall, 4646 Dakota Street SE, Prior Lake, MN 55372