07-22-1991 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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r > j t* I' tM.. Vf '/ . Water Quality [towards bottom of p.5] Generally, the various bays of Lake Minnetonka have exhibited improved water quality since the diversion of wastewater treatment plant effluent out of the watershed of the lake. Measurements demonstrate improved summer water quality conditions. The quality is now adequate to support most recreational uses of the lake. Exceptions to this are Habted ’s Bay, Gystal Bay, Tanager Lake and West Ann. The lack of improvement in these bays tt probably due to Hitora al phosphorus loadi ng from lake sediments and high load iBfS from non-point source pollution. [Comment: forms roost of pani.6, j terns wttli more commoB, less technical words] The major threat to the water quality of the lake »■ the development and redevelopment of the watershed of the lake, [par.2, p.2] Additional phosphorus loadinc appears unavoidable. [pnrJ, p.2] Pa ta ntion pondf. can reduce. ■*»*« will not elimin.Ko, needed to maintain water quality for rac ra at iona l purposes. Additiona lly^ lesser sources of phosphorus loadi ng inelude excessive and improper use of [diasphorus fertilizers, duturbance of highly erodible areas, filling of wetland and poor agricultural practices in the basin, [par.5, p.2] The aquatic weed Eurasian Watermilfoil has become establbhed in all parts of Lake Minnetonka and represents a threat to traditional recreational use patterns on the lake. The weed may also cause depiction of dissolved ooqrgen in the lake during peri'vlt when the plants die and decompose' [par. 6, p.2] ■Minneapo lis Straa t Ra il to the LMCD In 19S8 was to develop a management plan (ie.- an institutional framework) for p^ataeCinf the lake; enrrent standards and criteria might be adequate jf applied consistently] Wetlands [tawaids bottom of p.6] Many wetlands have been lost in the last few decades as the result of devekqMienL The shoreline of Lake Minnetonka and adjacent wetlands have undergone inteiise development over the years. As praisura incraasas for additional lake a ccess and redevelopment of low density residential and commercial districts, the pressure to alter wetland areas will als o •ant inua to increase. [Ctmmcnt: forms most of pora.7, p.2] The dredging of channels In Lake Minnetonka for navigational access through wetlands is an activity that may hava ■sigaifi sant impact on wetland oivjtOfunei7ts and their functional values. Asoordinglyt the U.S. Army Corps of Fngin eeis, DNR, the Watershed District and most of the lakeshore EP-4 ■hi• Yir- y,