About Sweeney Lake
Sweeney Lake, located in Golden Valley, is a recreation waterbody frequently used by residents for swimming, fishing, boating, and scenic viewing. A public access at the northern end of the lake offers a carry-in boat access and a City nature area on the southern end of the lake offers an overlook deck and canoe launch. The lake has a drainage area of nearly four square miles that includes areas of St. Louis Park and Golden Valley. Sweeney Lake receives outflows from the Ring Ponds, Cortlawn Pond, Schaper Pond, and Twin Lake and drains northeast into the Sweeney Lake Branch of Bassett Creek, which connects to the Bassett Creek Main Stem shortly downstream.
Sweeney Lake has an average depth of 12 feet and a maximum depth of 25 feet. Approximately half of the lake is shallow enough to support emergent or submerged vegetation growth. The aquatic invasive species Curlyleaf pondweed is present in Sweeney Lake. Historically water quality in Sweeney Lake has been poor. Following severe summer algal blooms in the early 1970s, members of the Sweeney Lakeshore Homeowners Association organized efforts to improve the lake's water quality. One effort included installing an aeration system, which the association has operated, and even expanded, since the 1970s. The aeration system is permitted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The goal of the system is to maintain high levels of oxygen near the lake bottom to prevent the anoxic release of phosphorus bound in lake sediments.
Sweeney Lake is included currently on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Impaired Waters list for excess nutrients (phosphorous) and chlorides (salt, primarily from winter deicers). Due to low water clarity and periodic excessive algae growth caused by high phosphorous levels, the lake is not always suitable for swimming or wading.
Water Quality Data
Click thumbnails below to enlarge
Chlorophyll a
Water Clarity
Total Phosphorus
Reports
- October 2024 Presentation to Sweeney Lake Assoc
- June 2023 Presentation to Sweeney Lake Assoc
- 2023 Sweeney Lake Water Quality Report
- 2020 Sweeney Lake Water Quality Report
- 2017 Sweeney Lake Water Quality Report
- 2014 Lake Water Quality Study: Sweeney Lake and Twin Lake
- Trapnet Fish Surveys for Sweeney Lake and Twin Lake - September 2013
- 2009 Lake Water Quality Study: Sweeney Lake, Twin Lake, Northwood Lake, North Rice Pond, and South Rice Pond
- 2008 Lake Water Quality Study: Sweeney Lake and Twin Lake
- 2005 Lake Water Quality Study: Northwood Lake, Sweeney Lake, and Twin Lake
- 2000 and 2001 Water Quality Study: Crane Lake, Northwood Lake, South Rice Lake, Sweeney Lake, Parkers Lake, Westwood Lake, Wirth Lake, Medicine Lake, and Bassett Creek
- Sweeney Lake Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Study
- Metropolitan Council's 2015 Study of Water Quality in 164 Metro Area Lakes (excerpted for BCWMC lakes)
Projects
Quick Facts
| BCWMC Classification | Priority 1 Deep Lake |
| Watershed Area (acres) | 2,397 |
| Lake Size (acres) | 67 |
| Average Depth (feet) | 12 |
| Maximum Depth (feet) | 25 |
| Ordinary High Water Level (feet) | 827.7 |
| Normal Water Level (feet) | 827.5 |
| Downstream Receiving Waterbody | Bassett Creek |
| Location (City) | Golden Valley |
| MPCA Impairments | Chloride |
| Aquatic Invasive Species | Curlyleaf pondweed |
| Public Access | Yes (non-motorzed boat launch) |
Sweeney Lake Aeration Study
Informational Meeting August 1, 2018
About Sweeney Lake
Sweeney Lake, located in Golden Valley, is a recreation waterbody frequently used by residents for swimming, fishing, boating, and scenic viewing. A public access at the northern end of the lake offers a carry-in boat access and a City nature area on the southern end of the lake offers an overlook deck and canoe launch. The lake has a drainage area of nearly four square miles that includes areas of St. Louis Park and Golden Valley. Sweeney Lake receives outflows from the Ring Ponds, Cortlawn Pond, Schaper Pond, and Twin Lake and drains northeast into the Sweeney Lake Branch of Bassett Creek, which connects to the Bassett Creek Main Stem shortly downstream.
Sweeney Lake has an average depth of 12 feet and a maximum depth of 25 feet. Approximately half of the lake is shallow enough to support emergent or submerged vegetation growth. The aquatic invasive species Curlyleaf pondweed is present in Sweeney Lake. Historically water quality in Sweeney Lake has been poor. Following severe summer algal blooms in the early 1970s, members of the Sweeney Lakeshore Homeowners Association organized efforts to improve the lake's water quality. One effort included installing an aeration system, which the association has operated, and even expanded, since the 1970s. The aeration system is permitted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The goal of the system is to maintain high levels of oxygen near the lake bottom to prevent the anoxic release of phosphorus bound in lake sediments.
Sweeney Lake is included currently on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Impaired Waters list for excess nutrients (phosphorous) and chlorides (salt, primarily from winter deicers). Due to low water clarity and periodic excessive algae growth caused by high phosphorous levels, the lake is not always suitable for swimming or wading.
Quick Facts
| BCWMC Classification | Priority 1 Deep Lake |
| Watershed Area (acres) | 2,397 |
| Lake Size (acres) | 67 |
| Average Depth (feet) | 12 |
| Maximum Depth (feet) | 25 |
| Ordinary High Water Level (feet) | 827.7 |
| Normal Water Level (feet) | 827.5 |
| Downstream Receiving Waterbody | Bassett Creek |
| Location (City) | Golden Valley |
| MPCA Impairments | Chloride |
| Aquatic Invasive Species | Curlyleaf pondweed |
| Public Access | Yes (non-motorzed boat launch) |
Water Quality Data
Click thumbnails below to enlarge
Chlorophyll a
Water Clarity
Total Phosphorus
Reports
- October 2024 Presentation to Sweeney Lake Assoc
- June 2023 Presentation to Sweeney Lake Assoc
- 2023 Sweeney Lake Water Quality Report
- 2020 Sweeney Lake Water Quality Report
- 2017 Sweeney Lake Water Quality Report
- 2014 Lake Water Quality Study: Sweeney Lake and Twin Lake
- Trapnet Fish Surveys for Sweeney Lake and Twin Lake - September 2013
- 2009 Lake Water Quality Study: Sweeney Lake, Twin Lake, Northwood Lake, North Rice Pond, and South Rice Pond
- 2008 Lake Water Quality Study: Sweeney Lake and Twin Lake
- 2005 Lake Water Quality Study: Northwood Lake, Sweeney Lake, and Twin Lake
- 2000 and 2001 Water Quality Study: Crane Lake, Northwood Lake, South Rice Lake, Sweeney Lake, Parkers Lake, Westwood Lake, Wirth Lake, Medicine Lake, and Bassett Creek
- Sweeney Lake Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Study
- Metropolitan Council's 2015 Study of Water Quality in 164 Metro Area Lakes (excerpted for BCWMC lakes)