Lake Minnewashta Preservation Association

Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES), operator of the metro-area
wastewater collection and treatment system, is continuing its response to a wastewater spill caused by a hole in one of its regional force main sanitary sewers that occurred on Thursday, June 20, in the City of Chanhassen.

Water quality monitoring:
MCES water quality monitoring results from Friday, June 28, and Monday, July 1, showed continued low bacteria levels at three monitoring sites at the north end of Lake Minnewashta, and staff have removed spill warning signs from the lakeshore. Water quality monitoring the week of June 24 also confirmed that several public areas of the lake were not affected by the spill. Bacteria levels in a stormwater streambed and holding pond just northwest of the lake were below the state water quality standard last week, but were above the standard on July 1, likely from rainfall-driven runoff over the weekend. MCES staff will collect water samples from these sites again today (July 3), and continue water quality monitoring until bacteria levels are consistently below the state water quality standard.

Site restoration:
MCES has an emergency contractor working at the spill site today (July 3) along the south side of Highway 7 west of Arbor Lane. The contractor is removing contaminated soil from a ditch along Highway 7, and placing new topsoil and seed. This should improve the water quality in future rainfall runoff that flows from this ditch into the stormwater streambed and pond northwest of the lake. The contractor also will add gravel and grade the area that was excavated June 21 to access and repair the broken sewer pipe. This will temporarily re-open a segment of bike trail until we can re-pave it in the next several weeks.

For more information, contact Tim O’Donnell, Environmental Services communications, at tim.odonnell@metc.state.mn.us or 651-602-1269.

Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES), operator of the metro-area
wastewater collection and treatment system, is continuing its response to a wastewater spill caused by a hole in one of its regional force main sanitary sewers that occurred on Thursday, June 20, in the City of Chanhassen.

Spill impact area:
MCES water quality monitoring results verified that the spill mainly affected a stormwater streambed, stormwater holding pond and the north end of a 200-yard-long channel extending north out of the north end of Lake Minnewashta (see map below). Very high bacteria levels consistent with a wastewater spill were found in these areas, which we posted for the public to avoid. Bacteria levels in the pond and north end of the channel reduced significantly from water samples collected June 21 to samples collected June 24, but remained above the state water quality standard. ES staff are exploring options to address very high bacteria levels still present in the stream bed.

Water quality monitoring at three sites along the north end of the lake showed normal levels at the south end of the channel and west of the channel, and bacteria levels above the state water quality standard east of the channel. As a precaution, this area also is posted to avoid (i.e. no swimming and no fishing). Typically, wastewater will adequately decompose in the water, and MCES does not anticipate any long-term effects from the wastewater spill.

Water samples at the regional park beach and boat launch on the east side of the lake and the city beach and a lake outlet on the west side of the lake (0.75 mile to 1.5 miles from the spill) showed very low bacteria levels, confirming these areas were not affected by the spill.
Precautionary warning signs posted June 21 are being removed from those sites.

Leak stopped:
The wastewater spill was reported to MCES at about 8:00 p.m. June 20, but appears to have begun earlier in the day. Upon learning of the spill, MCES staff diverted wastewater flow to an alternate regional sewer about 10 minutes later, thus stopping the spill. The spill occurred along the south side of Highway 7 near Arbor Lane and near the north end of Lake Minnewashta. Wastewater flowed along a bike path then through a local storm sewer and stormwater stream into a stormwater holding pond and a channel north of the lake, located between Dartmouth Drive and Washta Bay Court. MCES estimates the spill volume at 500,000 gallons, which is about three-fourths of an Olympic-sized pool.

Pipe repaired:
MCES’s emergency contractor finished repairing the pipe late Friday night (June 21), backfilled the excavation and re-opened all lanes on Highway 7. The contractor will return to finish restoring the site and bike trail. Workers found a tennis ball-size hole in the force main (pressurized pipe), which otherwise was in good condition. A rock in shifting soils may have worn away the pipe wall over many years, finally opening a hole.

Water quality monitoring:
MCES will continue water quality monitoring (approximately every other day) until bacteria levels return to within levels considered suitable for public contact with the water. MCES staff are collecting the third round of water samples today (June 26).

For more information, please contact Tim O’Donnell, Senior Information Coordinator at MCES, at tim.odonnell@metc.state.mn.us or 651-602-1269.

Thanks to the hard work of MANY people around the lake, our July 4^th plans are COMPLETE! Please join us for any or all of the fun events we have planned on Lake Minnewashta.

The best viewing area for the Water Ski show at 9:00 AM is at Kevin and Jean Ann Thayer’s property at 3421 Shore Drive. Thank you Thayer’s for allowing the fans to gather at your house! 

The Lake Minnewashta Fourth of July celebration in the Minnewashta Heights Park at 11AM will include hot dogs, brats, chips and water for a donation (suggested donation is $3). We will also have over 35 awesome raffle items including a wine basket, a paddleboard, Twins tickets, kids baskets and health club gift cards (all baskets valued at or over $50) and raffle tickets are just $1 a ticket!!! Find a list of all of the raffle items here. Please tell your family and friends so they remember to bring cash with them. You don’t want to miss out on the fun!!

The fireworks on the lake begin at DUSK. If you are viewing them from a boat, please be sure to stay well clear of the launch area so as not to risk possible injury or fire. Also, be aware that Law Enforcement professionals will be on the lake giving tickets for improper lighting, boating under the influence, unsafe boating and other things. Please follow the rules and make it a safe event for everyone.  

The fireworks display over Lake Minnewashta is solely funded by Lake Minnewashta area residents.  Please make your tax deductible donations payable to: KABOOM (Keep America’s Birthday Observance On Minnewashta) and send to Beth Ginther at 3611 Ironwood Rd. Excelsior, MN 55331!

Keep in touch – Be sure to give us your email address so we can add you to our electronic newsletter distribution. Or check our website at www.lakeminnewashta.org. And join our Lake Minnewashta Preservation Association Facebook group! Or tweet with us @lakeminnewashta.  Or email us at info@lakeminnewashta.org 

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions or comments about things we are or are not doing. Thanks for reading and thanks for your support!

Check out the AWESOME collection of raffle prizes that are available at the July 4th Celebration around Lake Minnewashta. Proceeds will benefit the LMPA

1. Garden Package w/$50 gift card from Twin Orchards
2. Honey basket
3. Old Log Theatre gift card 
4. BBQ/ Picnic Basket value $75 w/Kowalski’s gift card 
5. Beanhaven Café Breakfast for two w/$24 Adele’s gift card 
6. Brightwater LOLE Travel Tote 
7. Big Island Goodie Bag & $25 gift card
8. Lake Minnewashta Plaque
9. 4th of July basket
10. 3 chances to win – wine basket w/2 glasses from Kajo  
11. Wild Jersey sz 52 (L)  
12. 4 Twins tickets Sat. Aug. 3rd w/2 caps 
13. Paddleboard w/ leashes
14. Two 1-year memberships to Planet Fitness (2 locations) plus swag  
15. Suite for the Twins w/extras 
16. Adidas Hockey hat and T-shirt
17. Oregon/ California wine basket   
18. Bloody Mary Bar 
19. Margarita Tub
20. 3 free Pilates Plus Classes 
21. “Take Care of Your Heart” basket 
22. 1-month of Yoga “Unlimited” and Lavender Scented Eye Pillow 
23. Beautycounter Basket 
24. Hairazors Cut and Color gift card  
25. 1-month new membership at CrossFit SISU 
26.  “Doggy Bag” Fido’s Pantry goodies & Adogo pet hotel 2 days free daycare and 2 free overnight stay
27. Studio 220 Family Portrait Session
28. Inner Tube and swag bag  
29. Authentic Cornhole
30. Goodie Bag From Something Safari
31. Family Fun Play Package for 4 at the Big Thrill Factory 
32. Outdoor fun tub for teens    
33. Outdoor fun tub for kids
34. Boys Fun tub  
35. Girls Fun tub
36. Splash & Bubble tub   

Metropolitan Council Environmental Services is Responding to a Wastewater Spill in the City of Chanhassen Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES), operator of the metro-area wastewater collection and treatment system, is responding to a wastewater spill from an apparent break in one of its regional force main sanitary sewers that occurred on Thursday, June 20, in the City of Chanhassen.

The spill occurred along the south side of Highway 7 near Arbor Lane and near the north end of Lake Minnewashta. Wastewater flowed along a bike path and through a local storm sewer into a stormwater holding pond north of the lake. Wastewater may have flowed from this pond into a channel that extends north from Lake Minnewashta between approximately Dartmouth Drive and Washta Bay Court.

MCES staff are collecting water samples today (June 21) to see if the spill affected the lake and to what extent. As a precaution, MCES posted signs alerting the public to the wastewater spill and encouraging people to temporarily avoid the posted area at the channel and stormwater pond. Typically wastewater will adequately decompose in the water, and MCES does not anticipate any long-term effects from the wastewater spill.

City of Chanhassen staff alerted MCES to the wastewater spill Thursday evening. MCES transferred wastewater flow to an alternate sewer approximately 10 minutes later, which stopped the spill. MCES is working to determine the volume of the spill. MCES has an emergency contractor repairing the damaged sewer today (June 21).

For more information, please contact Tim O’Donnell, Senior Information Coordinator at MCES, at tim.odonnell@metc.state.mn.us or 651-602-1269.

Did you know that Lake Minnewashta is home to a number of enthusiastic water skiers? We are lucky to have our very own ski course set up in the north bay of the lake, permitted by the Sheriff and maintained by some of our residents.

Sometime between June 8th and June 11th, one of the ski course structures was notably damaged and rendered unusable until repairs are made. The cost of replacement parts is at least $150 plus a couple hours of work to pull everything out, replace the broken pieces, and reset everything.  Plus a lot of sad skiers, sitting on their docks waiting for repairs. 🙁

Are you curious as to how a ski course works? The two yellow balls are set up for a tow boat to drive between, The red/orange balls are turn buoys for a skier being towed to turn around. A series of ropes, plastic pipe and anchors hold the turn buoy a set distance away from the boat. Skiers compete by seeing who can make the most turns without missing a buoy as the ropes are shortened with each successive run.

More than likely the damage was accidental, possibly caused by a boater dragging a line or anchor rope through the course, snagging the underwater structure and snapping it.

To avoid future damage, please do not drive between the yellow and orange buoys. Better yet, if you are not skiing the course, please avoid it at all times.