02-12-1990 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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I 2590.4 ■^4 '.■•i. S\V- 'Hili TO: FROH: Mayor and City Council Mark E. Bernhardson, City Adininistrato^vj n.:::i2‘9-3o DATE:February 5, 1990 SUBJECT: Lake Minnetonka - Lake Level By Well Replenishment Attachment: A. Minnehaha Creek Watershed Minutes Excerpt 1/4/90 ISSUE Presentation to Council of information related to discussion as to reactivation of wells to raise Lake Minnetonka lake levels. i INTRODUCTION - As you may have seen recently a petition had been circulated "to reactivate the 7 wells that were drilled in the 30’s to attempt to raise the level of Lake Minnetonka. These wells were last used in the 40's and have been deactivated, although to the best of our knowledge they have not been sealed. DISCUSSION - Initial indications from the Department of Natural Resources have been that they would not allow such r*»activation to happen. Issues of concern include: A. Quantity Needed - The amount of water needed to have an impact on the lake is appreciable. It is estimated that if the wells were pumped (365 days/year, 24 hours a day) they would pump about 5 billion gallons and that may have a minimal effect on the lake level, as much of the water pumped would evaporate. B. Depletion of Ground Water - As is true with the City and their sprinkling ban the use of this water would further deplete an already scarce and non renewable resource. It would have direct effect on the City in that we would probably be sharing the same aquifer with our municipal wells. Lowering of that could cost us substantial amounts in the long run to drill new wells. That is particularly true of the one on Highway 12 as two of the wells sit on the opposite end of Long Lake. The amount to raise the lake level in one year (5 billion gallons) would be equal to the am< nt the City would look to pump in about a 50 year time jpan for its municipal uses. C. Cost - It is estimated that pumping the 5 billion gallons would cost approximately $200,000. I r 1