Phelps Bay (DNR ID: 27-0133-05)
Sampling Location - GPS Coordinates: Surface Area: 394 acres Max. Depth: 30 ft
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Phelps Bay is located near the cities of Spring Park and Mound. Head east on Minnetonka Blvd, and turn right on Co Rd 101 S. Turn right MN-7 and turn right on Oak St. Oak St. merges into Smithtown Rd and continue onto Manitou Rd/Shadywood Rd. Take a slight left to stay on Manitou Rd/Shadywood Rd. Next turn left at Shoreline Dr. Public boat launch is on the left.
Phelps Bay is on Lake Minnetonka which is a class 2B lake protected for aquatic life and recreation. Secchi disk depth information is available, but complete water quality monitoring did not begin until 1996. MCWD staff have been monitoring the site on Phelps Bay on a bi-weekly basis from the time of ice out (April) to the time of fall mixing (mid-October) since 2006.
See Previous Reports.
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. Additionally, water samples were collected within the first two meters of the surface with a 2-meter composite sampling tube. Samples one meter above the bottom were collected with a Van Doran water sampler. Surface sample were analyzed for total phosphorus (TP), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), total nitrogen (TN), where the bottom samples were analyzed for TP and SRP. Surface concentrations of chlorophyll-a were also analyzed and measurements of Secchi disc depth were recorded.
| 2009 Summer Water Quality Summary |
| Parameters | Range | Mean | TSI Value | Lake Grade |
| Months | June - Sept. | May - Sept. | ||
| Secchi Depth (m) | 2.1 - 2.9 | 2.5 | 47 | B |
| Surface TP (µg/L) | 18 - 25 | 21.2 | 48 | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (µg/L) | 2 - 15 | 5.9 | 48 | A |
| Overall Score | 48 | A- |
The following summary refers to Figure 3.37 (a-d).
- Secchi disk depth increased from 2.6 m to 3.9 m by late May (standard > 1.4 m). The remainder of the season, Secchi disk depth fluctuated between 2.1 m and 3.0 m.
- Chlorophyll-a concentrations fluctuated from late April to the middle of June, and then from late June to early August chlorophyll-a ranged between 4 μg/L and 5 μg/L. Chlorophyll-a concentrations increased to 15 μg/L by late September and then decreased
to 8 μg/L by early October (standard < 14 μg/L). - Surface TP concentrations were below the standard limit for the entire season (< 40 μg/L) and TP fluctuated between 19 μg/L and 26 μg/L. Surface SRP were below detection limit (< 0.005 μg/L) for the entire season.
- Bottom TP concentrations ranged between 22 μg/L and 27 μg/L in the beginning of the season, and then increased to 45 μg/L in late July. From early August to early October, TP declined ranging between 22 μg/L and 29 μg/L, except in late September when TP increased to 66 μg/L. Surface SRP were below detection limit (< 0.005 μg/L) except in late May, late July through early August, and late September.
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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