2021 Metro WBIF - Lower MN River North Area Projects - Lake Cornelia Goldfish Assessment
A recent Lake Cornelia Lake Water Quality Improvement Project study identified internal loading a as large source of the lake's phosphorus load. Curly-leaf pondweed, phosphorus rich sediments and goldfish and goldfish and carp were identified as the main sources. Nine Mile Creek Watershed District and City of Edina addresses curly-leaf pondweed, though annual herbicide treatments, and the District completed an in-lake alum treatment to address the nutrient rich sediments and is currently undertaking a carp and goldfish population/management study to determine the best management method. This project will refine population estimates and track movement of the goldfish and carp to better understand their mobility, spawning patterns and nurseries and the likelihood of their travel/spread within Lake Cornelia and connected waterbodies. To track their movement, antennas will be installed at crossways from the main lake to connected bodies and goldfish will be implanted with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. Antennas will be installed at crossways from Lake Cornelia to monitor goldfish movements in either direction. In addition, an age structure of goldfish will be analyzed to learn the environmental conditions that drive goldfish movements to connected water bodies and possible removal methods (e.g., such as box trap nets, fyke nets, seining), will be tested to determine effectiveness of stopping goldfish spread.
The results of this project will guide planning and management to take rapid action to stop the spread of goldfish in this system and reduce internal phosphorus loading.
Annie Felix-Gerth
$13,591,000 the first year and $13,375,000 the second year are for performance-based grants with multiyear implementation plans to local government units. The grants may be used to implement projects that protect, enhance, and restore surface water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; protect groundwater from degradation; and protect drinking water sources. Projects must be identified in a comprehensive watershed plan developed under the One Watershed, One Plan or metropolitan surface water management frameworks or groundwater plans. Grant recipients must identify a nonstate match and may use other legacy funds to supplement projects funded under this paragraph.
Outcomes include refined population and age structure estimates, track movement of the fish to better understand their mobility and spawning patterns/nurseries, likelihood of their travel/spread within the system and test possible removal methods.
Final Report was completed based on electrofishing and tracking via PIT tags. Report identifies travel and possible removal methods.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS