Priests Bay (DNR ID: 27-0133-05)
Sampling Location GPS Coordinates: Surface Area: 120 acres Max. Depth: 46 ft
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Priests Bay is located near the city of Minnetrista. Head east on Minnetonka Blvd, and turn right on Co Rd 101 S. Turn right MN-7 and turn right at Hwy 44. Next turn right at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park and follow the path towards the public boat access.
Priests Bay is on Lake Minnetonka which is a class 2B lake protected for aquatic life and recreation. Water quality information is available beginning in 2004. MCWD staff have been monitoring the site on Priests Bay 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) | 1 - 2.3 | 1.5 | 55 | C |
| Surface TP (µg/L) | 23 - 44 | 33.8 | 55 | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (µg/L) | 11 - 34 | 20.8 | 60 | B |
| Overall Score | 57 | C+ |
The following summary refers to Figure 3.39 (a-d).
- Secchi disk depth increased from 1.3 m to 2.7 m by late May, and then decreased to 1 m by late July. From August to September secchi disk depth ranged between 1.1 m and 1.7 m, then in October secchi disk depth increased to 2.7 m (standard > 1.2 m).
- Chlorophyll-a concentrations decreased from 54 µg/L to 11 µg/L from late April to early June. The remainder of the season there was an overall increase in chlorophyll-a ranging between 11 µg/L and 34 µg/L, except in October when the concentration declined to 8 µg/L (standard < 15 µg/L).
- Surface TP concentrations were greater than the standard (< 40 µg/L) in late April, late June, late September and October. The rest of the season TP concentrations fluctuated between 23 µg/L and 39 µg/L. Surface SRP concentrations were below detection limit (< 0.005 µg/L) except in late April, late May, and the middle of October.
- Bottom TP concentrations peaked four times over the season: late April (63 µg/L), early June (76 µg/L), early August (89 µg/L) and early September (71 µg/L). Bottom SRP concentrations peaked three times over the season: early June (25 µg/L), early August (13 µg/L) and the middle of October (15 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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