Parley Lake (DNR ID: 10-0042-00)
Sampling Location GPS Coordinates: Surface Area: 242 acres Max. Depth: 18 ft
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Parley Lake is located near the city of Waconia. Public lake access is available on the southwest side of the lake. From Waconia take Hwy 5 east to County Road 30 north and follow CR-30 for approximately half a mile. Turn east onto Parley Lake Road and follow until the first available left turn onto Parley Lake Lane.
Parley Lake is a polymictic class 2B lake protected for aquatic life and recreation. Limited water quality information is available beginning in 1975, but regular seasonal sampling did not begin until 1999. It is currently listed as an impaired water body by the MPCA for excess nutrients leading to eutrophication and biological impairment. MCWD staff have been monitoring the 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 early May 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 sample parameters analyzed included total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP). Surface concentrations of chlorophyll-a were also analyzed and measurements of Secchi disc depth were recorded. Bottom samples were analyzed for TP and SRP.
| 2008 Summer Water Quality Summary |
| Parameters | Range | Mean | TSI Value | Lake Grade |
| Months | June - Sept. | May - Sept. | ||
| Secchi Depth (m) | 0.5 - 3.2 | 1.0 | 60 | D |
| Surface TP (µg/L) | 37 - 135 | 78.7 | 67 | D |
| Chlorophyll-a (µg/L) | 5 - 82 | 48.7 | 69 | C |
| Overall Score | 65 | D+ |
The following summary refers to Figure 7.13 (a-d).
- At the beginning of the season, secchi disk depth increased from 1.2 m to 3.2 m. Water clarity decreased in middle of June and for the remainder of the season secchi disk depth read below the standard limit (> 1.2 m).
- Chlorophyll-a concentrations decreased from 38 µg/L to 5 µg/L early in the season. Concentrations fluctuated above the standard limit (< 15 µg/L) for the rest of the season except in the middle of July and early October.
- Surface TP concentrations were above the standard (< 40 µg/L) for most of the season with the peak concentration (135 µg/L) occurring in early June. Surface SRP concentrations were less than 20 µg/L for the entire season.
- Bottom TP concentrations ranged between 39 µg/L and 93 µg/L for most of the season, except in the middle of July and early October when concentrations increased above 100 µg/L. Bottom SRP concentrations for most of the season decreased when TP concentrations increased and increased when TP concentrations decreased. However, SRP concentrations peaked in the middle of July at 78 µg/L.
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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