How was lake water quality in 2020?

Posted by PLSLWD Staff - December 26, 2020 - News, Prior Lake, Spring Lake

In a bright spot of 2020, both Spring and Prior Lakes saw improved water quality this year which was a boon to everyone who swarmed to the lake this summer for swimming, fishing and boating. This year marked the first time that all three water quality standards – the goal for a healthy lake – were met on either Spring Lake or Upper Prior Lake.

In the graphs shown below you can see how the levels for each of three water quality parameters have generally improved over time for each lake. The dashed lines show the water quality standards – the goal to meet for good water quality.

Water clarity (Secchi disk depth), total phosphorus concentration and chlorophyll-a concentration are the main standards used by View Full Article →

View Full Article Prior Lake, Spring Lake, Upper Prior, Upper Prior Lake, Water quality, alum, alum treatment, phosphorus, spring

Winter Maintenance Workshop for Residents: Watch on Demand Now

Posted by PLSLWD Staff - December 22, 2020 - News, Prior Lake, Spring Lake

The Winter Maintenance Workshop for homeowners was last week, but don’t worry if you missed it because it’s now available online. You can watch it on the Scott SWCD’s YouTube channel here!

Salt smartly this winter. Did you know it only takes 1 teaspoon of salt to permanently pollute 5 gallons of water? Winter salt use is a major contributor to salt pollution in our freshwater lakes and streams. The good news is simple winter maintenance strategies can protect local freshwater from salt pollution.

Learn how to save money, reduce your salt use and protect your property from salt damage while keeping your driveway clear and lakes & streams clean!

View Full Article chloride pollution, chlorides, homeowner, resident, salt, winter, winter maintenance, workshop

Lake Report Cards: How’s the Water Quality?

Posted by PLSLWD Staff - November 13, 2020 - News, Prior Lake, Spring Lake

Wondering how the water quality is in your local lake? The District has compiled a report card for many of the District lakes. The report cards has some quick facts about the lake and highlights how well the lake scores for several water quality indicators.

To view the report cards, click the View Full Article button (below the Cate’s Lake Report Card) OR visit the Waterbodies page for the lake you are interested in and scroll to the Water Quality section. Click on the report card to view a clearer version with text that is easier to read.

There are report cards for Lower Prior Lake, Upper Prior Lake, Spring Lake, Fish Lake, Pike Lake, Buck Lake and Cates Lake. View Full Article →

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2020 Adventures in Carp

Posted by PLSLWD Staff - October 16, 2020 - News, Carp Management, Prior Lake, Spring Lake, Where are the carp?

2020 Carp Management:

The carp have kept the District very busy in 2020! Check out this StoryMap to see what all we’ve been doing. More information on the District’s common carp management program visit the Carp Management page on our website.

How do we track the carp?

As with many living creatures, carp move around throughout the year. Where do they go and how do we find them? Check out our Journey of a Carp StoryMap!

View Full Article 2020, carp, carp locations, carp management, carp tracking, common carp

Your Lakeshore Connection

Posted by PLSLWD Staff - September 10, 2020 - News, Prior Lake, Spring Lake

Think what you do in your yard doesn’t affect the lake? Think again.

Your property has a lakeshore connection and what you do on your property affects how clean your lake is for you and plants and wildlife with whom you share the lake.

The good news? You can help make your lake cleaner and healthier. Start with your shoreline and yard.

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