Forest Lake (DNR ID: 27-0139-00)
Sampling Location - GPS Coordinates: Surface Area: 84 acres Max. Depth: 42 ft
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Forest Lake is located near the cities of Mound and Spring Park. Head east on Minnetonka Blvd, and turn left on Co Rd 101 S. Turn right at Grays Bay Blvd and continue on Bushaway Rd. Turn left on Eastman Ln/Shady Ln, then a slight right at E Circle Dr. Next take a slight left at Lake St. E. Turn left at Ferndale Rd S and continue on Shoreline Dr. Turn right at Northshore Dr. Public lake access is available at the North Arm boat access located off of Northshore Drive two miles west from Shoreline Drive at Smiths Bay.
Forest Lake has been connected to Lake Minnetonka by channel and is a class 2B lake protected for aquatic life and recreation. Water quality information is available beginning in 1996. MCWD staff have been monitoring the site on Forest Lake on a bi-weekly basis from the time of ice out (April) to the time of fall mixing (mid-October) since 2006.
Currently not available.
Monitoring season started in late April and ended in late October. A YSI multi-probe sonde was used to measure dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature (oC), pH, and specific conductivity (µS/cm) at each meter depth from the water surface to the bottom. Water samples were collected at one meter below the water surface and one meter from the bottom. Surface and bottom sample parameters analyzed included total phosphorus (TP), total dissolved phosphorus (TDP), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), nitrate/nitrite (NO3/NO2) and ammonia (NH4). Surface concentrations of chlorophyll-a were also analyzed and measurements of Secchi disc depth were recorded.
| 2008 Summer Water Quality Summary |
| Parameters | Range | Mean | TSI Value | Lake Grade |
| Months | June - Sept. | May - Sept. | ||
| Secchi Depth (m) | .4 - 1.4 | 0.9 | 62 | D |
| Surface TP (µg/L) | 44 - 74 | 52 | 61 | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (µg/L) | 18 - 66 | 28.9 | 67 | D |
| Overall Score | 63 | D+ |
The following summary refers to Figure 3.13 (a-d).
- Secchi disk depth was above the standard (> 1.2 m) from late May to late July with the peak in late May at 3.1 m. From August to September, secchi disk depth was less than 1 m, and then in October, secchi disk depth increased to 2.6 m.
- Chlorophyll-a concentrations increased from 83 µg/L to 219 µg/L and then decreased to 4 µg/L by late May. From June to September, concentrations increased to 66 µg/L and for remainder of the season concentrations declined (standard < 15 µg/L).
- Surface TP concentrations were three to four times greater than the standard (< 40 µg/L) from late April to May, but were about two times greater for the remainder of the season. Surface SRP concentrations were below detection limit (< 0.005 µg/L) except from late April, May, and the middle of October. *Early August surface and bottom samples may have been mislabeled which may explain the change in both SRP concentrations.
- Both bottom TP and SRP concentrations gradually increased throughout the season except in October when both concentrations declined. *See above.
Lake Grades and Historical Monitoring Summaries
When available, previous reports are linked to applicable year. Additional lake data previous to 2007 may be available in the applicable year's hydrodata report. If you have additional questions or you are looking for specific information please contact MCWD's Water Quality Staff.
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