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

Volunteer Clean-Up: Oct 23-25

Posted by PLSLWD Staff - October 6, 2020 - News

This fall’s Clean Water Clean-Up is still on, but will look a little different than usual to give volunteers more flexibility and reduce the number of people present at the same time. The clean-up will be held over the weekend of Oct. 23-25 at Sand Point Beach Park (14349 Crest Ave) and Jeffers Pond in Prior Lake. Volunteers can come any time over the course of the weekend and will have the option of removing buckthorn at Jeffers Pond and/or raking leaves at Sand Point Beach!

We ask that all volunteers sign-up for the event beforehand as event details will be emailed to participants prior to the event. To sign up for the event click here.

As usual volunteers should bring their own work gloves and tools to rake or remove buckthorn. Event is free and family-friendly. Volunteers will be entered into drawing for door prizes from local businesses. View Full Article →

View Full Article CWCU, Jeffers Pond, Prior Lake, Sand Point Beach, clean up, clean water clean up, community event, event, volunteer

Stabilize your Shoreline Workshop: Listen Online Now

Posted by PLSLWD Staff - June 10, 2020 - News

Did you miss the Stabilize Your Shoreline Workshop? No worries – you can listen to the workshop online here.

Learn how to protect your shoreline from erosion and how keep your lake clean! Workshop is taught by Scott Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) staff. The workshop will cover different planting techniques and give you all the resources you need to begin your restoration process!

Cost-share funding may be available through the Watershed District and the SWCD to help fund your project. Call the Scott SWCD for technical assistance to plan your project or for questions about cost-share funding at 952-492-5425.

View Full Article Cates Lake, Fish Lake, Prior Lake, Spring Lake, cost-share, erosion, habitat, lakeshore, native plants, native shoreline, shoreline, shoreline restoration, shoreline stabilization, webinar, workshop

Curlyleaf Pondweed Treatment this week: Prior and Spring Lakes

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

Treatment for curlyleaf pondweed (a non-native, invasive aquatic plant) on Prior Lake was completed yesterday (May 12) and Spring Lake’s treatment is scheduled for Friday (May 15). It is recommended that you wait three days after treatment to use lake water to irrigate lawns or gardens.

The District completed aquatic plant surveys this spring identified several areas with high concentrations of curlyleaf pondweed for treatment. Treatment areas are numbered and marked on the maps below in orange for Prior Lake and purple for Spring Lake.

Why treat? As is common with non-native, invasive species, curlyleaf pondweed is one of the first things growing in the spring. Unfortunately this gives it a head start and allows the curlyleaf to crowd out the native aquatic plants that are good for the lake. Treating the curlyleaf gives a native plants a chance to grow.

View Full Article AIS, CLP, Curly-leaf pondweed, Curlyleaf pondweed, Prior Lake, Spring Lake

Low-flow gate closed

Posted by PLSLWD Staff - April 29, 2020 - News

Low-Flow Gate as it is being closed.

The low-flow gate on the Prior Lake Outlet Structure was closed this week. Prior Lake’s level was 902.61 feet above sea level and dropping as of April 29 and the District is required to close the low-flow gate by May 1.

The main gate of the outlet structure remains open as usual and water will continue to discharge from Prior Lake as long as the lake is above the elevation of the outlet’s weir at 902.5 feet above sea level. Current lake levels can be found here.

The low-flow gate was to opened in March to provide some extra storage on Prior Lake heading into the spring melt season. The District has permission from the Minnesota DNR to open the low-flow gate in March and April when necessary.

The low flow gate operates best when the lake level is between 902.0 and 903.0 and is managed based on the District’s outlet operations policy which is approved by the DNR. The Prior Lake Outlet Structure automatically stops discharging when the lake level drops below 902.5 feet. When the low-flow gate is open, lake levels can drop slightly faster and to (no lower than) 902.0 feet. When the lake is above 903’, the low-flow gate is ineffective as the outlet pipe is limiting the amount of flow leaving the lake.

For more information on the outlet structure and the low-flow gate check out the StoryMap on our website here.

View Full Article Low Flow Gate, Prior Lake, low-flow gate, outlet structure