Photo by Laura Jester
About Medicine Lake
Medicine Lake, situated in the center of the watershed, is the largest of the lakes in the watershed with a total area of more than 900 acres. It is a major recreational resource for the area and includes French Regional Park, public beaches, and a public boat landing. The lake provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating, birding, and biking or walking on adjacent trails. Medicine Lake is also an important resource for wildlife.
Over 11,000 acres drain to Medicine Lake from portions of five cities including Plymouth, Medicine Lake, New Hope, Golden Valley, and Minnetonka. Plymouth Creek is the most significant tributary to Medicine Lake, entering through West Medicine Lake Park. The lake’s outlet is located at the south end of the main basin. An overflow weir structure discharges water directly into the main stem of Bassett Creek; the weir is owned by Hennepin County and regulated by the MDNR. The overflow structure is approximately three feet above the level of the creek channel to deter fish migration into the lake.
Medicine Lake has high nutrient levels which periodically makes the water unsuitable for swimming and wading due to low clarity and excessive algae growth. Additionally, the lake was recently classified by the State as a “high risk water” for high chloride levels, likely coming from deicers used in the winter.
Curlyleaf pondweed, an aquatic invasive plant, is present in Medicine Lake. The growth and die-off the plant is identified as a source of internal nutrient loading in Medicine Lake. A Total Maximum Daily Load Study was completed in 2009 to identify the source of nutrients and lay out plans for controlling those nutrients (see link below). Multiple projects have been implemented to reduce the pollutant loading to the lake (see projects below). The City of Plymouth and the BCWMC continue implementing projects and programs to reduce pollutant loading to the lake.
Water Quality Data
Click thumbnails below to enlarge
Chlorophyll a
Water Clarity
Total Phosphorus
Reports and Plans
- 2024 BCWMC Water Monitoring Report
- 2025 TMDL Status Assessment: Report | Presentation
- 1972 - 2023 Water Levels Graph
- Lake Vegetation Management Plan (2022)
- 2020 Medicine Lake Water Quality Report
- 2020 AIS Presentation
- Review of Carp Data 1981 - 2017
- 2016 Medicine Lake Monitoring Report
- Metropolitan Council's 2015 Study of Water Quality in 164 Metro Area Lakes (excerpted for BCWMC lakes)
- MPCA Website: Medicine Lake Total Maximum Daily Load Study: Fact sheet, TMDL report (2009), TMDL Implementation Plan (2011)
- 2014 City of Plymouth Stormwater Monitoring Report including Medicine Lake
- 2010 BCWMC Water Monitoring Report for Medicine Lake
- 2006 BCWMC Water Monitoring Report for Medicine Lake
- Historical Medicine Lake Water Clarity
- Documents related to Medicine Lake Water Level Issue
Projects
Quick Facts
| BCWMC Classification | Priority 1 Deep Lake |
| Watershed Area (acres) | 11,014 |
| Lake Size (acres) | 902 |
| Average Depth (feet) | 17.5 |
| Maximum Depth (feet) | 49 |
| Ordinary High Water Level (feet) | 889.1 |
| Normal Water Level (feet) | 887.7 |
| Downstream Receiving Waterbody | Bassett Creek |
| Location (City) | Medicine Lake; Plymouth |
| MPCA Impairments | Mercury in Fish Tissue; Nutrients; fish bioassessments |
| Aquatic Invasive Species | Eurasian watermilfoil; Curlyleaf pondweed, zebra mussels (Nov 2017), starry stonewort (Aug 2018) |
| Public Access | Yes (boat launch) |
Photo by Laura Jester
About Medicine Lake
Medicine Lake, situated in the center of the watershed, is the largest of the lakes in the watershed with a total area of more than 900 acres. It is a major recreational resource for the area and includes French Regional Park, public beaches, and a public boat landing. The lake provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating, birding, and biking or walking on adjacent trails. Medicine Lake is also an important resource for wildlife.
Over 11,000 acres drain to Medicine Lake from portions of five cities including Plymouth, Medicine Lake, New Hope, Golden Valley, and Minnetonka. Plymouth Creek is the most significant tributary to Medicine Lake, entering through West Medicine Lake Park. The lake’s outlet is located at the south end of the main basin. An overflow weir structure discharges water directly into the main stem of Bassett Creek; the weir is owned by Hennepin County and regulated by the MDNR. The overflow structure is approximately three feet above the level of the creek channel to deter fish migration into the lake.
Medicine Lake has high nutrient levels which periodically makes the water unsuitable for swimming and wading due to low clarity and excessive algae growth. Additionally, the lake was recently classified by the State as a “high risk water” for high chloride levels, likely coming from deicers used in the winter.
Curlyleaf pondweed, an aquatic invasive plant, is present in Medicine Lake. The growth and die-off the plant is identified as a source of internal nutrient loading in Medicine Lake. A Total Maximum Daily Load Study was completed in 2009 to identify the source of nutrients and lay out plans for controlling those nutrients (see link below). Multiple projects have been implemented to reduce the pollutant loading to the lake (see projects below). The City of Plymouth and the BCWMC continue implementing projects and programs to reduce pollutant loading to the lake.
Quick Facts
| BCWMC Classification | Priority 1 Deep Lake |
| Watershed Area (acres) | 11,014 |
| Lake Size (acres) | 902 |
| Average Depth (feet) | 17.5 |
| Maximum Depth (feet) | 49 |
| Ordinary High Water Level (feet) | 889.1 |
| Normal Water Level (feet) | 887.7 |
| Downstream Receiving Waterbody | Bassett Creek |
| Location (City) | Medicine Lake; Plymouth |
| MPCA Impairments | Mercury in Fish Tissue; Nutrients; fish bioassessments |
| Aquatic Invasive Species | Eurasian watermilfoil; Curlyleaf pondweed, zebra mussels (Nov 2017), starry stonewort (Aug 2018) |
| Public Access | Yes (boat launch) |
Water Quality Data
Click thumbnails below to enlarge
Chlorophyll a
Water Clarity
Total Phosphorus
Reports and Plans
- 2024 BCWMC Water Monitoring Report
- 2025 TMDL Status Assessment: Report | Presentation
- 1972 - 2023 Water Levels Graph
- Lake Vegetation Management Plan (2022)
- 2020 Medicine Lake Water Quality Report
- 2020 AIS Presentation
- Review of Carp Data 1981 - 2017
- 2016 Medicine Lake Monitoring Report
- Metropolitan Council's 2015 Study of Water Quality in 164 Metro Area Lakes (excerpted for BCWMC lakes)
- MPCA Website: Medicine Lake Total Maximum Daily Load Study: Fact sheet, TMDL report (2009), TMDL Implementation Plan (2011)
- 2014 City of Plymouth Stormwater Monitoring Report including Medicine Lake
- 2010 BCWMC Water Monitoring Report for Medicine Lake
- 2006 BCWMC Water Monitoring Report for Medicine Lake
- Historical Medicine Lake Water Clarity
- Documents related to Medicine Lake Water Level Issue