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Lake Minnetonka is the tenth largest lake in Minnesota. Lake Minnetonka <br />has a surface area of approximately 22 square miles and a capacity of 400,000 <br />acre feet of water at the normal lake elevation of 929.4 ft. MSL. One third of the <br />lake surface is in Orono as are 40 miles of its over 100 miles of shoreline. <br />Lake Minnetonka has substantial regional public value as a recreational <br />asset, as an environmental resource and as a setting for private residential <br />development. Lake Minnetonka's closeness to Minneapolis combined with its <br />size have long given it a unique status among the lakes in Minnesota. In the <br />1880's, Minnetonka became a nationally known resort area and a favorite locale <br />for summer homes. Beginning shortly after World War II, many summer cabins <br />were converted to full year residences, and the lakeshore is now undergoing <br />significant redevelopment with the construction of substantial suburban homes. <br />From the viewpoint of the fisherman, the lower lake resembles the northern <br />waters of the state, whereas the upper lake and its bays resemble southern <br />Minnesota waters. The large size of the lower lake is a major attraction for <br />sailboaters while the variety of bays, channels and water routes offer attraction <br />to the casual boater. <br />The Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) was established by <br />the State legislature to manage use of the Lake. Due to the unique nature of <br />Lake Minnetonka, it is one of the few Minnesota lakes under the management <br />jurisdiction of a legislated conservation district. LMCD=s responsibilities <br />include managing Lake Minnetonka as a recreational asset serving a variety of <br />users, with regulatory authority over docks, mannas, and other lake access <br />facilities; the types of boats permitted to use the lake; lake activities including <br />watercraft operation and special events; and environmental controls such as lake <br />de-icing, weed removal and pollution prevention, monitoring and remediation. <br />City of Orono Community Management Plan 2008-2030 Page 4E-7 <br />