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Sweeney Lake

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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


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; Nutrients
Aquatic Invasive Species Curlyleaf pondweed
Public Access Yes (non-motorzed boat launch)

Sweeney Lake Aeration Study

Study Fact Sheet

Final Technical Report

Informational Meeting August 1, 2018
sweeney-lake-banner-image_crop.jpg

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; Nutrients
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


Projects

Schaper Pond Diversion Project
View details
Sweeney Lake Water Quality Improvement Project
View details

Sweeney Lake Aeration Study

Study Fact Sheet

Final Technical Report

Informational Meeting August 1, 2018