Twin Lake
About Twin Lake
Twin Lake is a 21-acre lake in Golden Valley. The lake is adjacent to Theodore Wirth Regional Park and is used for swimming, non-motorized boating, fishing, and scenic viewing. An outlet channel flows beneath a bridge at the north side of the lake into a wetland is connected to Sweeney Lake. The Twin Lake watershed is fully developed and has three major land uses: park/recreational/preserve, which comprises 60%, institutional, 20%, and low-density residential, 20%.
Twin Lake is relatively deep for its small size with a maximum depth of 56 feet and an average depth of 26 feet. Floating leaf vegetation is present primarily in the northern portion of the lake. Curlyleaf pondweed, an aquatic invasive species, is present in Twin Lake. Water quality in Twin Lake is good overall. The relatively high ratio of lake surface to drainage area and lack of high-impervious land use around the lake have helped Twin Lake avoid many negative effects of urbanization such as increased stormwater runoff and pollutant loading.
In 2008 and 2009, summer average concentrations of phosphorous in Twin Lake increased significantly. This increase prompted the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission (BCWMC) to conduct a study to determine the causes of the increased phosphorous levels. The study, Twin Lake Phosphorous Internal Loading Investigation, March 2011, identified internal loading from sediment as the primary cause. In response, the BCWMC conducted an alum treatment of Twin Lake in 2015. Monitoring since the alum treatment indicates good water quality and reduced nutrient levels. A second dose of alum may be applied in a future year, if warranted.
Water Quality Data
Click thumbnails below to enlarge
Chlorophyll a
Water Clarity
Total Phosphorus
Links
- 2023 Twin Lake Water Quality Report
- 2020 Twin Lake Water Quality Report
- 2017 Twin Lake Water Quality Report
- Metropolitan Council's 2015 Study of Water Quality in 164 Metro Area Lakes (excerpted for BCWMC lakes)
- 2014 Lake Water Quality Report for Sweeney Lake and Twin Lake
- Trapnet Fish Surveys for Sweeney Lake and Twin Lake - September 2013
- 2011 Twin Lake Phosphorous Internal Loading Investigation
- Bassett Creek Watershed Excerpt from Metropolitan Council's 2011 Study of Water Quality of 169 Metro-area Lakes
- 2010 Water Quality Monitoring Activities on Medicine Lake and Twin Lake - PowerPoint by Keith Pilgrim, Barr Engineering Company
- 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
Projects
Quick Facts
| BCWMC Classification | Priority 1 Deep Lake |
| Watershed Area (acres) | 131 |
| Lake Size (acres) | 21 |
| Average Depth (feet) | 25.7 |
| Maximum Depth (feet) | 56 |
| Ordinary High Water Level (feet) | -- |
| Normal Water Level (feet) | 827.5 |
| Downstream Receiving Waterbody | Sweeney Lake |
| Location (City) | Golden Valley |
| MPCA Impairments | None |
| Aquatic Invasive Species | Curlyleaf pondweed |
| Public Access | Yes |
About Twin Lake
Twin Lake is a 21-acre lake in Golden Valley. The lake is adjacent to Theodore Wirth Regional Park and is used for swimming, non-motorized boating, fishing, and scenic viewing. An outlet channel flows beneath a bridge at the north side of the lake into a wetland is connected to Sweeney Lake. The Twin Lake watershed is fully developed and has three major land uses: park/recreational/preserve, which comprises 60%, institutional, 20%, and low-density residential, 20%.
Twin Lake is relatively deep for its small size with a maximum depth of 56 feet and an average depth of 26 feet. Floating leaf vegetation is present primarily in the northern portion of the lake. Curlyleaf pondweed, an aquatic invasive species, is present in Twin Lake. Water quality in Twin Lake is good overall. The relatively high ratio of lake surface to drainage area and lack of high-impervious land use around the lake have helped Twin Lake avoid many negative effects of urbanization such as increased stormwater runoff and pollutant loading.
In 2008 and 2009, summer average concentrations of phosphorous in Twin Lake increased significantly. This increase prompted the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission (BCWMC) to conduct a study to determine the causes of the increased phosphorous levels. The study, Twin Lake Phosphorous Internal Loading Investigation, March 2011, identified internal loading from sediment as the primary cause. In response, the BCWMC conducted an alum treatment of Twin Lake in 2015. Monitoring since the alum treatment indicates good water quality and reduced nutrient levels. A second dose of alum may be applied in a future year, if warranted.
Quick Facts
| BCWMC Classification | Priority 1 Deep Lake |
| Watershed Area (acres) | 131 |
| Lake Size (acres) | 21 |
| Average Depth (feet) | 25.7 |
| Maximum Depth (feet) | 56 |
| Ordinary High Water Level (feet) | -- |
| Normal Water Level (feet) | 827.5 |
| Downstream Receiving Waterbody | Sweeney Lake |
| Location (City) | Golden Valley |
| MPCA Impairments | None |
| Aquatic Invasive Species | Curlyleaf pondweed |
| Public Access | Yes |
Water Quality Data
Click thumbnails below to enlarge
Chlorophyll a
Water Clarity
Total Phosphorus
Links
- 2023 Twin Lake Water Quality Report
- 2020 Twin Lake Water Quality Report
- 2017 Twin Lake Water Quality Report
- Metropolitan Council's 2015 Study of Water Quality in 164 Metro Area Lakes (excerpted for BCWMC lakes)
- 2014 Lake Water Quality Report for Sweeney Lake and Twin Lake
- Trapnet Fish Surveys for Sweeney Lake and Twin Lake - September 2013
- 2011 Twin Lake Phosphorous Internal Loading Investigation
- Bassett Creek Watershed Excerpt from Metropolitan Council's 2011 Study of Water Quality of 169 Metro-area Lakes
- 2010 Water Quality Monitoring Activities on Medicine Lake and Twin Lake - PowerPoint by Keith Pilgrim, Barr Engineering Company
- 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
Projects
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