Clean Water Strategy

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The City of Edina is working on a plan called the Clean Water Strategy to address the existing challenges faced by its lakes and creeks. Right now, the waters in Edina are not healthy, so it’s important to come up with a new plan that takes into account the latest scientific knowledge about urban streams and shallow urban lakes. The goal is to meet the expectations of the community by making sure the water is safe, accessible, and well-managed.

The Clean Water Strategy will establish the vision and goals for clean water, setting the priority and policy direction that will guide the city in achieving clean water outcomes. By defining these goals and priorities, the City will be able to align its services more closely with what the community values.

We’re seeking input on the clean water vision (community values and goals), priority pollutants, and priority waterbodies.

The City of Edina is working on a plan called the Clean Water Strategy to address the existing challenges faced by its lakes and creeks. Right now, the waters in Edina are not healthy, so it’s important to come up with a new plan that takes into account the latest scientific knowledge about urban streams and shallow urban lakes. The goal is to meet the expectations of the community by making sure the water is safe, accessible, and well-managed.

The Clean Water Strategy will establish the vision and goals for clean water, setting the priority and policy direction that will guide the city in achieving clean water outcomes. By defining these goals and priorities, the City will be able to align its services more closely with what the community values.

We’re seeking input on the clean water vision (community values and goals), priority pollutants, and priority waterbodies.

Clean Water Strategy

Submit your questions about the project here and we'll get back to you.

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  • Share Hello! I feel ill-equipped to pose a question, and certainly am not qualified to propose a solution; however, Minnehaha Creek runs through our backyard and it is a very sad sight to behold. We live on Woodcrest Drive in Edina in a home that was once owned by my grandparents so I have seen the condition of the creek for my entire life. We totally understand that the drought conditions have largely contributed to the complete dryness of the portion of the creek that runs through our backyard. We also suspect that the run off (salt/sand/etc) from the bridge that runs over the creek at 56th and Woodcrest/Woodland is not helping. In my grandma's later years we are under the impression that the city did some kind of wildflower/natural grasses planting along the banks of the creek. This growth is wildly out of control on all sides of the creek and has now created a grassy/weedy island in the middle of the creek which inhibits people from enjoying and accessing the creek (especially when there is water flowing). Some of the growth is also incredibly thorny, which makes it difficult to enjoy the creek with our children. We propose that the city remove and rethink the wildflowers/grasses/growth that is taking over our creek banks. After speaking with other neighbors we'd love to see substantial trees planted along the creek's edge to offer a canopy over the creek. We'd also love to see the creek bed cleaned out. There seems to be quite a bit of excess salt/sand and all of the growth of weeds/plant life has totally taken over. We think that cleaning this out would help water to flow more freely. Currently the growth in the creek is causing the water to stream to our neighbor's side which seems to be eroding their bank. This seems silly when there is plenty of available space for the water to flow if only the creek were maintained and kept clean. We have asked in the past if we can help to clean the creek out and we were told not to touch it. It is such a shame to see this beautiful creek become so thirsty and overgrown. We are grateful that Edina is taking a critical look at the health of our natural bodies of water!! Thank you so much for the time and consideration!! on Facebook Share Hello! I feel ill-equipped to pose a question, and certainly am not qualified to propose a solution; however, Minnehaha Creek runs through our backyard and it is a very sad sight to behold. We live on Woodcrest Drive in Edina in a home that was once owned by my grandparents so I have seen the condition of the creek for my entire life. We totally understand that the drought conditions have largely contributed to the complete dryness of the portion of the creek that runs through our backyard. We also suspect that the run off (salt/sand/etc) from the bridge that runs over the creek at 56th and Woodcrest/Woodland is not helping. In my grandma's later years we are under the impression that the city did some kind of wildflower/natural grasses planting along the banks of the creek. This growth is wildly out of control on all sides of the creek and has now created a grassy/weedy island in the middle of the creek which inhibits people from enjoying and accessing the creek (especially when there is water flowing). Some of the growth is also incredibly thorny, which makes it difficult to enjoy the creek with our children. We propose that the city remove and rethink the wildflowers/grasses/growth that is taking over our creek banks. After speaking with other neighbors we'd love to see substantial trees planted along the creek's edge to offer a canopy over the creek. We'd also love to see the creek bed cleaned out. There seems to be quite a bit of excess salt/sand and all of the growth of weeds/plant life has totally taken over. We think that cleaning this out would help water to flow more freely. Currently the growth in the creek is causing the water to stream to our neighbor's side which seems to be eroding their bank. This seems silly when there is plenty of available space for the water to flow if only the creek were maintained and kept clean. We have asked in the past if we can help to clean the creek out and we were told not to touch it. It is such a shame to see this beautiful creek become so thirsty and overgrown. We are grateful that Edina is taking a critical look at the health of our natural bodies of water!! Thank you so much for the time and consideration!! on Twitter Share Hello! I feel ill-equipped to pose a question, and certainly am not qualified to propose a solution; however, Minnehaha Creek runs through our backyard and it is a very sad sight to behold. We live on Woodcrest Drive in Edina in a home that was once owned by my grandparents so I have seen the condition of the creek for my entire life. We totally understand that the drought conditions have largely contributed to the complete dryness of the portion of the creek that runs through our backyard. We also suspect that the run off (salt/sand/etc) from the bridge that runs over the creek at 56th and Woodcrest/Woodland is not helping. In my grandma's later years we are under the impression that the city did some kind of wildflower/natural grasses planting along the banks of the creek. This growth is wildly out of control on all sides of the creek and has now created a grassy/weedy island in the middle of the creek which inhibits people from enjoying and accessing the creek (especially when there is water flowing). Some of the growth is also incredibly thorny, which makes it difficult to enjoy the creek with our children. We propose that the city remove and rethink the wildflowers/grasses/growth that is taking over our creek banks. After speaking with other neighbors we'd love to see substantial trees planted along the creek's edge to offer a canopy over the creek. We'd also love to see the creek bed cleaned out. There seems to be quite a bit of excess salt/sand and all of the growth of weeds/plant life has totally taken over. We think that cleaning this out would help water to flow more freely. Currently the growth in the creek is causing the water to stream to our neighbor's side which seems to be eroding their bank. This seems silly when there is plenty of available space for the water to flow if only the creek were maintained and kept clean. We have asked in the past if we can help to clean the creek out and we were told not to touch it. It is such a shame to see this beautiful creek become so thirsty and overgrown. We are grateful that Edina is taking a critical look at the health of our natural bodies of water!! Thank you so much for the time and consideration!! on Linkedin Email Hello! I feel ill-equipped to pose a question, and certainly am not qualified to propose a solution; however, Minnehaha Creek runs through our backyard and it is a very sad sight to behold. We live on Woodcrest Drive in Edina in a home that was once owned by my grandparents so I have seen the condition of the creek for my entire life. We totally understand that the drought conditions have largely contributed to the complete dryness of the portion of the creek that runs through our backyard. We also suspect that the run off (salt/sand/etc) from the bridge that runs over the creek at 56th and Woodcrest/Woodland is not helping. In my grandma's later years we are under the impression that the city did some kind of wildflower/natural grasses planting along the banks of the creek. This growth is wildly out of control on all sides of the creek and has now created a grassy/weedy island in the middle of the creek which inhibits people from enjoying and accessing the creek (especially when there is water flowing). Some of the growth is also incredibly thorny, which makes it difficult to enjoy the creek with our children. We propose that the city remove and rethink the wildflowers/grasses/growth that is taking over our creek banks. After speaking with other neighbors we'd love to see substantial trees planted along the creek's edge to offer a canopy over the creek. We'd also love to see the creek bed cleaned out. There seems to be quite a bit of excess salt/sand and all of the growth of weeds/plant life has totally taken over. We think that cleaning this out would help water to flow more freely. Currently the growth in the creek is causing the water to stream to our neighbor's side which seems to be eroding their bank. This seems silly when there is plenty of available space for the water to flow if only the creek were maintained and kept clean. We have asked in the past if we can help to clean the creek out and we were told not to touch it. It is such a shame to see this beautiful creek become so thirsty and overgrown. We are grateful that Edina is taking a critical look at the health of our natural bodies of water!! Thank you so much for the time and consideration!! link

    Hello! I feel ill-equipped to pose a question, and certainly am not qualified to propose a solution; however, Minnehaha Creek runs through our backyard and it is a very sad sight to behold. We live on Woodcrest Drive in Edina in a home that was once owned by my grandparents so I have seen the condition of the creek for my entire life. We totally understand that the drought conditions have largely contributed to the complete dryness of the portion of the creek that runs through our backyard. We also suspect that the run off (salt/sand/etc) from the bridge that runs over the creek at 56th and Woodcrest/Woodland is not helping. In my grandma's later years we are under the impression that the city did some kind of wildflower/natural grasses planting along the banks of the creek. This growth is wildly out of control on all sides of the creek and has now created a grassy/weedy island in the middle of the creek which inhibits people from enjoying and accessing the creek (especially when there is water flowing). Some of the growth is also incredibly thorny, which makes it difficult to enjoy the creek with our children. We propose that the city remove and rethink the wildflowers/grasses/growth that is taking over our creek banks. After speaking with other neighbors we'd love to see substantial trees planted along the creek's edge to offer a canopy over the creek. We'd also love to see the creek bed cleaned out. There seems to be quite a bit of excess salt/sand and all of the growth of weeds/plant life has totally taken over. We think that cleaning this out would help water to flow more freely. Currently the growth in the creek is causing the water to stream to our neighbor's side which seems to be eroding their bank. This seems silly when there is plenty of available space for the water to flow if only the creek were maintained and kept clean. We have asked in the past if we can help to clean the creek out and we were told not to touch it. It is such a shame to see this beautiful creek become so thirsty and overgrown. We are grateful that Edina is taking a critical look at the health of our natural bodies of water!! Thank you so much for the time and consideration!!

    MMRussell asked over 1 year ago

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  • Share As it appears questions are taken down after they are posted and it is unclear what happens to them, the questions below are being posted yet again. The following response is a joint reply from the Lake Cornelia Lake Group board of directors. Our Lake Group is encouraged that the City is developing a Clean Water Strategy, as was promised in the 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Master Plan (CWRMP). The following comments address areas that deserve additional clarification within the “Priority Waterbodies” poster board. Watershed impervious cover criteria Which of Edina’s 200 waterbodies meet the 30% impervious cover criteria? What is the percentage of surrounding impervious coverage for the largest 20 water bodies? Opportunities for outreach, engagement, or service criteria How near is near? In our opinion “near” should mean walking distance otherwise transportation is involved and then all water bodies are ‘near’. Public access and use criteria What is the percentage of publicly owned shoreline for the largest 20 water bodies? Areas of relative disparity criteria What geographic boundaries are currently characterized as areas of "relative disparity" and what waterbodies are in those areas? Commensurate with Lake Cornelia’s historical waterbody ranking as Edina’s number one priority, three of the five directors attended three of the four recent public meetings. Our comments are based on over 30 years’ experience trying to work towards a more inviting water resource for the greater community and watershed. Respectfully, Lake Cornelia, Lake Group Directors: Joe Gryskiewicz, Larry Olson, Ron Rasley, Rick Vining, Ralph Zickert on Facebook Share As it appears questions are taken down after they are posted and it is unclear what happens to them, the questions below are being posted yet again. The following response is a joint reply from the Lake Cornelia Lake Group board of directors. Our Lake Group is encouraged that the City is developing a Clean Water Strategy, as was promised in the 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Master Plan (CWRMP). The following comments address areas that deserve additional clarification within the “Priority Waterbodies” poster board. Watershed impervious cover criteria Which of Edina’s 200 waterbodies meet the 30% impervious cover criteria? What is the percentage of surrounding impervious coverage for the largest 20 water bodies? Opportunities for outreach, engagement, or service criteria How near is near? In our opinion “near” should mean walking distance otherwise transportation is involved and then all water bodies are ‘near’. Public access and use criteria What is the percentage of publicly owned shoreline for the largest 20 water bodies? Areas of relative disparity criteria What geographic boundaries are currently characterized as areas of "relative disparity" and what waterbodies are in those areas? Commensurate with Lake Cornelia’s historical waterbody ranking as Edina’s number one priority, three of the five directors attended three of the four recent public meetings. Our comments are based on over 30 years’ experience trying to work towards a more inviting water resource for the greater community and watershed. Respectfully, Lake Cornelia, Lake Group Directors: Joe Gryskiewicz, Larry Olson, Ron Rasley, Rick Vining, Ralph Zickert on Twitter Share As it appears questions are taken down after they are posted and it is unclear what happens to them, the questions below are being posted yet again. The following response is a joint reply from the Lake Cornelia Lake Group board of directors. Our Lake Group is encouraged that the City is developing a Clean Water Strategy, as was promised in the 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Master Plan (CWRMP). The following comments address areas that deserve additional clarification within the “Priority Waterbodies” poster board. Watershed impervious cover criteria Which of Edina’s 200 waterbodies meet the 30% impervious cover criteria? What is the percentage of surrounding impervious coverage for the largest 20 water bodies? Opportunities for outreach, engagement, or service criteria How near is near? In our opinion “near” should mean walking distance otherwise transportation is involved and then all water bodies are ‘near’. Public access and use criteria What is the percentage of publicly owned shoreline for the largest 20 water bodies? Areas of relative disparity criteria What geographic boundaries are currently characterized as areas of "relative disparity" and what waterbodies are in those areas? Commensurate with Lake Cornelia’s historical waterbody ranking as Edina’s number one priority, three of the five directors attended three of the four recent public meetings. Our comments are based on over 30 years’ experience trying to work towards a more inviting water resource for the greater community and watershed. Respectfully, Lake Cornelia, Lake Group Directors: Joe Gryskiewicz, Larry Olson, Ron Rasley, Rick Vining, Ralph Zickert on Linkedin Email As it appears questions are taken down after they are posted and it is unclear what happens to them, the questions below are being posted yet again. The following response is a joint reply from the Lake Cornelia Lake Group board of directors. Our Lake Group is encouraged that the City is developing a Clean Water Strategy, as was promised in the 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Master Plan (CWRMP). The following comments address areas that deserve additional clarification within the “Priority Waterbodies” poster board. Watershed impervious cover criteria Which of Edina’s 200 waterbodies meet the 30% impervious cover criteria? What is the percentage of surrounding impervious coverage for the largest 20 water bodies? Opportunities for outreach, engagement, or service criteria How near is near? In our opinion “near” should mean walking distance otherwise transportation is involved and then all water bodies are ‘near’. Public access and use criteria What is the percentage of publicly owned shoreline for the largest 20 water bodies? Areas of relative disparity criteria What geographic boundaries are currently characterized as areas of "relative disparity" and what waterbodies are in those areas? Commensurate with Lake Cornelia’s historical waterbody ranking as Edina’s number one priority, three of the five directors attended three of the four recent public meetings. Our comments are based on over 30 years’ experience trying to work towards a more inviting water resource for the greater community and watershed. Respectfully, Lake Cornelia, Lake Group Directors: Joe Gryskiewicz, Larry Olson, Ron Rasley, Rick Vining, Ralph Zickert link

    As it appears questions are taken down after they are posted and it is unclear what happens to them, the questions below are being posted yet again. The following response is a joint reply from the Lake Cornelia Lake Group board of directors. Our Lake Group is encouraged that the City is developing a Clean Water Strategy, as was promised in the 2018 Comprehensive Water Resources Master Plan (CWRMP). The following comments address areas that deserve additional clarification within the “Priority Waterbodies” poster board. Watershed impervious cover criteria Which of Edina’s 200 waterbodies meet the 30% impervious cover criteria? What is the percentage of surrounding impervious coverage for the largest 20 water bodies? Opportunities for outreach, engagement, or service criteria How near is near? In our opinion “near” should mean walking distance otherwise transportation is involved and then all water bodies are ‘near’. Public access and use criteria What is the percentage of publicly owned shoreline for the largest 20 water bodies? Areas of relative disparity criteria What geographic boundaries are currently characterized as areas of "relative disparity" and what waterbodies are in those areas? Commensurate with Lake Cornelia’s historical waterbody ranking as Edina’s number one priority, three of the five directors attended three of the four recent public meetings. Our comments are based on over 30 years’ experience trying to work towards a more inviting water resource for the greater community and watershed. Respectfully, Lake Cornelia, Lake Group Directors: Joe Gryskiewicz, Larry Olson, Ron Rasley, Rick Vining, Ralph Zickert

    RWZ asked almost 2 years ago

    Questions: Watershed impervious cover criteria Which of Edina’s 200 waterbodies meet the 30% impervious cover criteria? What is the percentage of surrounding impervious coverage for the largest 20 water bodies? 

    Answer: We evaluated the 16 waterbodies you see in the Draft prioritization so far. Nine Mile Creek – North Fork, Minnehaha Creek, Lake Cornelia, Lake Edina, Melody Lake, and Lake Pamela have >30% impervious directly connected based on major subwatershed. Nine Mile Creek – South Fork, Arrowhead Lake, Mirror Lake, Highlands Lake, Hawkes Lake, Indianhead Lake, Lake Harvey, Otto Pond, Lake Nancy, and Southwest Ponds have <30% impervious directly connected based on major subwatershed. We plan to run another sample of waterbodies through the draft prioritization and will share the outcomes of that with the public.

    Question/Comment: Opportunities for outreach, engagement, or service criteria How near is near? In our opinion “near” should mean walking distance otherwise transportation is involved and then all water bodies are ‘near’. 

    Answer: This one isn’t related to proximity. We mean for it to be a space for a community group to gather around or engage with. Some examples could be, a lake association, a scout troop or faith group service project, or a school or faith group water/nature educational visit.  

    Question: Public access and use criteria What is the percentage of publicly owned shoreline for the largest 20 water bodies? 

    Answer: We evaluated the 16 waterbodies you see in the Draft prioritization so far. Nine Mile Creek – North Fork, Minnehaha Creek, Lake Cornelia, Highlands Lake, Melody Lake, and Lake Pamela are within or directly adjacent to parks. Lake Edina, Otto Pond, and Lake Nancy are adjacent to public trails. The other waterbodies in the initial prioritization draft are not within or adjacent to a park or trail.

    Question: Areas of relative disparity criteria What geographic boundaries are currently characterized as areas of "relative disparity" and what waterbodies are in those areas?

    Answer: We used data from the Metropolitan Council’s Place-based Equity Research. We created heat map plots for the following parameters; median household income, percent of households with no vehicle, percent of land use that is park/greenspace, and percent of land use that is multifamily residential. We compared the Met Council datasets with the Hennepin County Vulnerable Community data from their Climate Action Plan, and the areas within Edina that scored most high were similar across the two. Nine Mile Creek – North Fork, Lake Edina, Mirror Lake, and Highlands Lake are within or border an area of equity concern. The other waterbodies in the initial prioritization are not within or bordering an area of equity concern.

  • Share Please consider keeping this format open at least through the end of July, perhaps longer. Many residents are currently on vacation and/or spending time at their cabins. on Facebook Share Please consider keeping this format open at least through the end of July, perhaps longer. Many residents are currently on vacation and/or spending time at their cabins. on Twitter Share Please consider keeping this format open at least through the end of July, perhaps longer. Many residents are currently on vacation and/or spending time at their cabins. on Linkedin Email Please consider keeping this format open at least through the end of July, perhaps longer. Many residents are currently on vacation and/or spending time at their cabins. link

    Please consider keeping this format open at least through the end of July, perhaps longer. Many residents are currently on vacation and/or spending time at their cabins.

    Constance asked almost 2 years ago

    People can submit questions, comments, and ideas on this phase of the project through at least the end of August. Staff will prepare a staff report in early August for the City Council to discuss the Clean Water Strategy at their August 15th Work Session meeting. People can provide input up to and for a couple weeks after the work session. Staff will receive City Council direction at the work session meeting and consider any other input from the public, then return to City Council at a later meeting this fall (date to be determined) with a recommendation and to seek a formal decision from the Council.

  • Share Please extend the comment period on this BT site. Many of our LNLA members are vacationing right now as are many other residents who should have a chance to respond. Given this is a MAJOR proposed change/update to the WRMP of the comprehensive plan, the community/public engagement process needs to be robust and thorough. I was a little surprised to learn the council approved the project at the end of 2022 yet the draft plan documents were only posted on this site a few days before the public meetings. Please confirm how long residents can post comments and ask questions via BT. Thank you. on Facebook Share Please extend the comment period on this BT site. Many of our LNLA members are vacationing right now as are many other residents who should have a chance to respond. Given this is a MAJOR proposed change/update to the WRMP of the comprehensive plan, the community/public engagement process needs to be robust and thorough. I was a little surprised to learn the council approved the project at the end of 2022 yet the draft plan documents were only posted on this site a few days before the public meetings. Please confirm how long residents can post comments and ask questions via BT. Thank you. on Twitter Share Please extend the comment period on this BT site. Many of our LNLA members are vacationing right now as are many other residents who should have a chance to respond. Given this is a MAJOR proposed change/update to the WRMP of the comprehensive plan, the community/public engagement process needs to be robust and thorough. I was a little surprised to learn the council approved the project at the end of 2022 yet the draft plan documents were only posted on this site a few days before the public meetings. Please confirm how long residents can post comments and ask questions via BT. Thank you. on Linkedin Email Please extend the comment period on this BT site. Many of our LNLA members are vacationing right now as are many other residents who should have a chance to respond. Given this is a MAJOR proposed change/update to the WRMP of the comprehensive plan, the community/public engagement process needs to be robust and thorough. I was a little surprised to learn the council approved the project at the end of 2022 yet the draft plan documents were only posted on this site a few days before the public meetings. Please confirm how long residents can post comments and ask questions via BT. Thank you. link

    Please extend the comment period on this BT site. Many of our LNLA members are vacationing right now as are many other residents who should have a chance to respond. Given this is a MAJOR proposed change/update to the WRMP of the comprehensive plan, the community/public engagement process needs to be robust and thorough. I was a little surprised to learn the council approved the project at the end of 2022 yet the draft plan documents were only posted on this site a few days before the public meetings. Please confirm how long residents can post comments and ask questions via BT. Thank you.

    Constance asked almost 2 years ago

    People can submit questions, comments, and ideas on this phase of the project through at least the end of August. Staff will prepare a staff report in early August for the City Council to discuss the Clean Water Strategy at their August 15th Work Session meeting. People can provide input up to and for a couple weeks after the work session. Staff will receive City Council direction at the work session meeting and consider any other input from the public, then return to City Council at a later meeting this fall (date to be determined) with a recommendation and to seek a formal decision from the Council. 

    The scope of this phase of the project is to get clarity and consensus from the public and the Council on the vision (values and goals) and priorities. Once that is established, we can begin the work to define the service level and what it takes to resource it.

    The Council has not yet considered or approved a Clean Water Strategy. So far, they have received a preview of the materials that were presented at the community meetings. The 2022 amendment to the Water Resources Management Plan was to incorporate the Flood Risk Reduction Strategy work that started in 2019. We expect this Clean Water Strategy to also result in a major amendment to the Water Resources Management Plan when it is complete. You can follow along with that process on this project webpage.

Page last updated: 10 Apr 2025, 02:15 PM