What and Who is the Mitchell Lake Association?
Mitchell Lake Association (MLA) is a group of neighbors dedicated to protecting and improving the lake’s water quality because:
We enjoy a wide variety of activities – from ice fishing and snowshoeing in the winter to boating (10 HP or less), fishing and swimming in the summer. Every spring and fall, we stock the lake with a wide variety of fish.
We care about wildlife – Home to a thriving community of fish, turtles, osprey, herons and other bird species, Mitchell Lake is the perfect place to commune with nature.
We need clean, clear water – After years of failing to meet Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) standards, we have succeeded in restoring Mitchell Lake so it’s at or near Minnesota’s clean water standards.
Mitchell Lake is for everyone!
Mitchell Lake is not just for residents who live on the lake! Everyone is welcome to enjoy the lake, made possible by a public fishing dock and boat launch.
“It’s not possible to drop a line in Mitchell Lake and NOT catch a fish!”
Where Mitchell Lake Fits In
Located in Eden Prairie, Mitchell Lake is a part of the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District. Mitchell Lake is classified as a “shallow lake” since it’s generally less than 15 feet deep and light can reach the bottom in most of the lake.
Shallow lakes typically host a lot of aquatic plants and are habitat to a variety of fish and birds. To be considered healthy by the MPCA, shallow lakes need to be clear enough to see one meter down, and have low nitrogen, phosphorus and chlorophyll levels.
Mitchell Lake: The Basics
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Founded in 2006, MLA was Eden Prairie’s first lake association. A group of caring neighbors, we are dedicated to protecting and improving the lake’s water quality in partnership with federal, state and local agencies. Click here for Mitchell Lake Association Bylaws.
Becoming a member is easy and only $35/year.
How We Can Keep Mitchell Healthy
Continued water sampling enables us to monitor the water quality to ensure good clarity and low algae levels throughout the open water season.
We are pursuing a two-prong strategy to improve the lake water quality:
- Improve the quality of the water. The Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District is largely responsible for this initiative. They reduce soluble phosphorous levels by eradicating invasive plant species – primarily Eurasian milfoil and curly leaf pondweed.
- Filter water flowing into the lake. Rainwater runoff from yards, parking lots and storm drains is a primary source of pollution. Individual landowners can help prevent lake pollution by:
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- Keeping the curb clean. Sweep up leaves, grass clippings and fertilizer from driveways and streets.
- Watering with care. Grass requires about one inch of water or one hour of sprinkling per week if it has not rained.
- Smart salting. Salt used to melt ice can pollute our lakes. Use salt sparingly and always shovel first.
- Reusing the rain. Collect and reuse rainwater with a rain barrel or better yet: build a raingarden to soak up water and filter out pollution.
- Planting native plants and other lakeshore restoration projects (see below).
Shoreline Restoration Grants Available!
Watershed Stewardship Grants are available to homeowners and organizations for projects that protect and improve water resources.
Homeowners can receive up to $5,000 from the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District for creating native plant buffers or raingardens.
Timber Lakes Homeowners Association hosted a series of workshops where participants learned about shoreline restoration techniques and plant identification. Volunteers then put those skills to use maintaining a large shoreline along Mitchell Lake!
Learn more and apply at http://www.rpbcwd.org/grants/watershed-stewardship-grants-1