Overview

Since 2014, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) and its partners have engaged in one of the region’s largest habitat restoration and water quality enhancement projects. The project includes the restoration of 2,488 acres of in-lake habitat across 14 deep and shallow lakes, and the creation of corridors of restored wetland and uplands in the Six Mile Creek-Halsted Bay subwatershed (SMCHB), one of the largest tributaries of Lake Minnetonka. 

The foundation for this project was a three-year carp assessment conducted in partnership with the University of Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC), which evaluated common carp’s abundance, recruitment patterns, and seasonal movement patterns in the Six Mile Creek-Halsted Bay subwatershed. Introduced to Minnesota in the 1880s, carp are one of the most damaging aquatic invasive species in our waters; they uproot aquatic vegetation, dig up nutrient-rich sediment (releasing phosphorus and other nutrients into the water, which contributes to algae blooms), and compete with native fish and waterfowl for food. This immense restoration enhances fisheries and benefits waterfowl and non-game bird communities, while improving recreation for fishermen, hunters, and birdwatchers.

At a Glance

  • Victoria
  • Six Mile Creek – Halsted Bay Subwatershed
  • Status: Complete
  • 2023

MCWD Staff Contact

Michael Hayman

mhayman@minnehahacreek.org

952-471-8226

Supporting Materials

Six Mile Creek-Halsted Bay Carp Management Implementation Plan

2019 Six Mile Newsletter

2023 Program Closeout Publication

Project Cost

$1,021,657

Project Updates

spring 2024

In 2023, the Six-Mile Creek and Halsted Bay Habitat Restoration program closed. MCWD is conducting an analysis of the program to determine its effectiveness with partners at the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). MCWD will continue to maintain the established population goals and operate barriers and aeration systems.

Project Timeline

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Planning Phase

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Planning Phase

June 2014 — University of Minnesota’s Carp Study begins

February 2016 — University of Minnesota’s Carp Study results are published

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Design Phase

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Design Phase

March 2018 — Six Mile Creek Carp Management Plan developed

September 2018 — Subwatershed update

November 2018 — Subwatershed update

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Construction Phase

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Construction Phase

January 2019 — Carp Management Plan implemented

March 2019 — Carp barriers installed

May 2019 — Staff conduct surveys and net carp

July 2019 — Staff remove carp biomass in East and West Auburn Lakes, Parley Lake, and Halsted Bay

March 2021 — Auburn carp barrier constructed

October 2022 — Carp Management Plan completed

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Project completion

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Project Completion

2023 — Project Completed

By the Numbers

14

lakes

restored

2,488

acres

habitat provided

4

Carp Barriers

Constructed

275,346

pounds

carp biomass reduction


Project Highlights

  • Restored habitat for game and non-game fish
  • Improved habitat for birds, including migratory waterfowl
  • Increased aquatic vegetation
  • Long-term protection from invasive common carp
  • Aeration system to prevent winterkill of native fish species
  • Permanent carp barriers
  • Removal of adult carp to meet the threshold of ecological capacity

All metrics anticipated upon project completion.

Partnership

With the large scale of this project in the Six Mile Creek-Halsted Bay subwatershed, MCWD partnered with several agencies including Laketown Township, the City of Minnetrista, the City of St. Bonifacius, the City of Victoria, the City of Waconia, Carver County, Hennepin County, Three Rivers Park District, the Minnesota DNR, Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, and the University of Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center.

Funding

Project Cost: $1,021,657

Funding for this project was supported by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Fund and the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund. MCWD funded the remainder of the project.

Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment logo