Lower Penn Lake Management Plan

The Lower Penn Lake management plan resulted from changes to the operation of the groundwater well on Lower Penn Lake. A change in State Law resulted in permitting restrictions that reduced the amount of groundwater pumping from the well on Lower Penn Lake. To address concerns about the water level in Lower Penn Lake without augmentation the City of Bloomington Engineering Division worked with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, and Public to gather information and ultimately develop a management plan for Lower Penn Lake.

The management plan identifies potential specific actions or improvements for Lower Penn Lake to address public input, agency direction, state statute, and to establish a future management direction for the lake. This document serves as an outline to identify an appropriate future long-term management strategy for Lower Penn Lake.

For further information, contact the City of Bloomington Engineering Division, 1700 West 98th Street, Bloomington, MN 55431, telephone: 952-563-4867; TDD: 952-563-8740.

Lower Penn Lake Management Plan (96KB PDF, 21 pages).
Appendix A through K (6.46MB PDF, 95 pages).

Current Status

Winter aeration is identified as a strategy help meet the goal of enhancing the current fishery. The goal of winter aeration is to maintain adequate oxygen levels for the fish population during winter ice-cover.

The Twin Cities Metro Area is currently depicted by the U.S. Drought Monitor as being in the moderate drought category and having a precipitation deficit of 8 inches. Only 1.36 inches of precipitation fell from September 1 to November 30, the driest since modern records began in 1871. Within that time frame water levels on Lower Penn Lake dropped 2.66 feet.

Based on the current conditions and available alternatives it is presently not feasible to aerate Lower Penn Lake. Recent dissolved oxygen monitoring has indicated the lake is currently maintaining adequate oxygen levels without aeration. This is most likely due to limited ice thickness and lack of snow cover. Staff is continuing to investigate alternative aeration systems and will continue to monitor the dissolved oxygen levels. The management plan will be updated accordingly with any new management strategies or available alternatives.

Lower Penn lake observed water elevations. If you need assistance to read this chart, please contact Engineering at 952-563-4867.

The elevation of Lower Penn Lake fluctuates through the year as precipitation and storm water runoff enters the lake. The Normal Elevation of Lower Penn Lake is 807.0. Currently the existing groundwater well located at the north end of the lake is not being operated. This operation is specifically permitted and regulated by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

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