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Lotus Lake

Located in eastern Chanhassen, Lotus Lake is one of three headwaters of Purgatory Creek. Water flows out of Lotus into the south fork of Purgatory Creek, which eventually meets up with the two other forks of the creek.

Lotus Lake is classified as a “Deep Lake” by the MPCA. To be considered healthy, the lake must have very low average phosphorus and chlorophyll-a levels and an average water clarity of 1.4 meters (4.6 feet) or greater.

From June through September every year, District staff visit this and other lakes every two weeks to collect water samples and take readings.  Samples are sent to a laboratory to be tested for nutrients and other compounds. Staff also measure water clarity by lowering a Secchi disk into the water and measuring how deep it goes before it is no longer visible. The data indicates the lake’s health based on standards set by the MPCA.

Lotus Lake - Water Quality Grade

Lake WQ Grade C.pngRPBCWD staff assigned this letter grade to the lake based upon how well it is meeting water quality goals. Learn more about lake water quality grades.

For more information about the water quality and grades for lakes monitored in the District, visit the lake factsheets page.

Lake Factsheet

Lotus Lake Factsheet

Several water quality parameters are monitored for the lake including Total Phosphorus, Chlorophyll-a, and water clarity. The results are compared to standards set by the MPCA. The District also collects data about native aquatic plant populations and invasive species. Learn more in the lake factsheet.

Open Factsheet

Watershed Location

Lake and Watershed Characteristics

 Size 248 acres
Volume 2,500 acre-feet
Average depth 16 feet
Max depth 31 feet
Watershed size 1,048 acres
Land draining directly into 316 acres
MPCA lake classification Deep
Impairment listing Mercury, nutrients, fish
Trophic status Hypereutrophic
Common fish Bluegill, Yellow Bullhead, Walleye, Black Crappie
Invasive species Eurasian Watermilfoil, Common Carp, Curlyleaf Pondweed, Brittle Naiad

For more information about waterbody impairments, visit the Minnesota's Impaired Waters List webpage managed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

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DNR LakeFinder

Get information on water levels, fish stocking, and water clarity.

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MPCA Surface Water Data

Find historical lake and stream water quality data.

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Metropolitan Council

View and download information on lakes, rivers, streams, rain gauges