The MPRB currently monitors 14 lakes within the City of Minneapolis. Monitoring occurs April through October and once during the winter months when the lakes are frozen. Annual lake monitoring data can be found in the MPRB Water Resources Report.
The following City lakes are included in the monitoring program:
- Brownie
- Calhoun
- Cedar
- Diamond
- Grass
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- Harriet
- Hiawatha
- Isles
- Loring
- Nokomis
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- Powderhorn
- Spring
- Webber
- Wirth
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Our monitoring efforts are focused on ensuring healthy lakes and the health of those who spend time in or near the lakes - including fish, frogs, birds, plants and people. Park Board staff regularly monitors our Minneapolis lakes to measure:
Chemical Parameters
- Dissolved oxygen
- Phosphorus
- Nitrogen
- Chlorophyll a (a measure of algae present)
Physical Parameters
Biological Parameters
- Phytoplankton/Zooplankton (base of the aquatic food web)
Long-term monitoring is important because lakes can change from year to year due to wet or dry weather. Only when years of data are put together can we see trends. Analysis of this data tells us if the water quality is improving or not.
