Link to Independence photos
Note: The RUSS unit from Lake Independence has been removed in 2001 and moved to Shagawa Lake. We will continue to post data collected by Hennepin Parks as it becomes available.

This mid-sized (344 hectares = 851 acres) lake is located about 15 miles west of Minneapolis just north of the small town of Maple Plain, MN. The lake has a maximum depth of 18 m (58 feet) and exhibits stratification similar to Ice and Hale Lakes. The lake is typical of a number of lakes located in the Twin Cities metropolitan area that are prized for both recreational value and residential development. People in this area are becoming increasingly aware of the impacts these activities have on water quality.

Although situated in a primarily agricultural watershed, the shoreline of lake Independence is relatively lightly developed. There are 192 permanent and summer homes along its 11.4 km of shoreline. Only the far north shoreline remains undeveloped. Morris Baker County Park takes up the entire southeast shoreline with a boat launch, swimming beaches, picnic areas, and campground. The lake experiences heavy recreational use on a typical summer weekend, including swimming, boating, and water skiing. See the lake summary table for additional watershed and water quality information. See data summary-limnology overview for an overview of Lake Independence from 1998-1999.

Responsibility for the management of water quality in Lake Independence has been taken by the Hennepin Parks Department (HP) and the Lake Independence Citizens Association (LICA). LICA has been concerned about water quality in the lake because it experiences frequent blue-green algae blooms and has been invaded by the exotic macrophyte, Eurasian Water Milfoil, presumably from nearby Lake Minnetonka.

Because the lake no longer meets the water quality needs of both HP and its lakeshore property owners, a diagnostic feasibility study was initiated in 1996. Monitoring by HP has been biweekly since 1997 for a suite of water quality parameters. RUSS and ancillary WOW data will supplement these efforts.

Beginning in January 1999 a new study by HP, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD), the Science Museum of Minnesota, and the WOW team will begin for the purpose of increasing public understanding of monitoring data for better managing water resources. The project will be funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) EMPACT program and will utilize Lake Independence data and RUSS units at two sites in Lake Minnetonka (see Lake Access web page). See the collaborator page for local staff and contact information.