Summary
Halsted Bay’s water quality grade (D) is among the worst in the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) due in part to excessive nutrients. To help improve water quality in the area, the MCWD recently purchased the 112-acre Halverson Farm in Minnetrista, which drains into Six Mile Marsh and Creek shortly before it enters Halsted Bay.

Background

Reach 14 of Minnehaha Creek extends from France Avenue South to 54th Street West, a total of approximately 4,118 feet in length (see map below). Reach 14 has two distinct subreaches with highly contrasting riparian zones. The upper 900 feet is wooded, the riparian zone and channel assume a high quality, natural appearance. The remainder of the channel is highly managed with riprap banks and turf grass. Very little wildlife habitat is present in this reach, it is primarily mowed yards. However, the forested section provides some habitat. About 30% of the reach is shaded by tree cover. The reach scored a 5.8 on the Stream Visual Assessment Protocol index evaluated as part of the Minnehaha Creek Stream Assessment, mainly due to areas with poor-quality riparian vegetation.

Plan

In 2007, in partnership with Gleason Lake Improvement Association (GLIA), the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) began a lake vegetation study to assess the extent and removal of curly-leaf pondweed over a five-year period (2007-2011). During the first three years of study (2007-2009), the whole lake was treated with Endothall (an aquatic herbicide). The last two years of the study (2010-2011), Endothall spot treatments were applied to infested areas of the lake. This project will allow the MCWD to demonstrate whether the herbicide application is a viable long-term solution to control claspingleaf pondweed.

Hints to identify: Has small "teeth" visible along edge of leaf; begins growing in early spring before most other pondweeds; dies back during midsummer; the flower stalks, when present, stick up above the water surface in June; appears reddish-brown in the water, but is actually green when pulled out of the water and examined closely. Easily confused with claspingleaf pondweed, which has leaves with no "teeth" around their edges.

Management strategy: See DNR regulations. Like Eurasian watermilfoil, curlyleaf pondweed is not native to the United States and often causes problems due to excessive growth. When control is necessary, herbicides and harvesting can be effective. Grants are available for control efforts on a lake-wide basis.

 Importance of plant: Provides some cover for fish; several waterfowl species feed on the seeds; diving ducks often eat the winter buds.

In 2005, the Watershed District collaborated with the City of Mound for a redevelopment project within the City to reconstruct the existing downtown business and residential district adjacent to Lost Lake and Langdon Lake.  Project partners include: City of Mound, Mound Harbor Development Group and Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church.