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The Carver County Water Management Organization is beginning an annual bulletin to update residents on the health and water quality of Reitz Lake. This bulletin will be sent out every summer. If you would also like to receive our monthly newsletter for more frequent updates on our projects and programs, or, if you would like to unsubscribe from our newsletters, please visit: www.carvercountymn.gov/government/e-notifications. We appreciate your interest and dedication to keeping our local lakes healthy!
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Water Quality Updates
Reitz Lake received a C grade for water quality in 2022, which means the lake has average water quality with algae blooms that may make recreation less desirable early and late in the season.
The graph shows water quality results from 2022 for phosphorus and chlorophyll-a concentrations, and transparency measurements. The dashed lines indicate the water quality standards set by the state. Values higher than the standards for phosphorus, chlorophyll-a, or transparency indicate poorer water quality conditions. Lakes are listed as impaired when the average summer values for a given water quality metric are higher than the standard.
Reitz Lake has been listed as impaired by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency since 2002 because of its high nutrient levels. Between 2012 and 2014, the Carver County Water Management Organization installed filtration and detention basins and restored shorelines to natural habitat to decrease the amount of stormwater runoff entering the lake. This helps prevent excessive nutrients from entering the water.
 Reitz Lake water quality results from 2022. The phosphorus (yellow) and chlorophyll-a (green) axis is on the left side of the graph, and the transparency (blue) axis is inverted and on the right side of the graph. We want to see each water quality metric line remain below the dashed standard lines for the best lake health.
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 Phosphorus
This nutrient is necessary for lake health, but in high concentrations it can cause algae blooms. Phosphorus levels remained above the standard of 40 µg/L throughout 2022, with peaks in spring and fall. Reitz Lake was impaired for phosphorus in 2022 with a summer average of 58.1 µg/L.
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 Chlorophyll-a
This compound is produced in plants and is a measurement of how much algae is in the lake. Chlorophyll-a concentrations were higher than the water quality standard of 14 µg/L throughout most of the year and were highest in spring and summer. Reitz Lake was impaired for chlorophyll-a in 2022 with a summer average of 46.1 µg/L.
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 Transparency
We measure transparency using Secchi disks. The deeper into the water the disk is still visible, the greater the water transparency value. Water transparency met the visibility standard of 1.4 m in late spring, but failed to meet the standard by mid-June. Reitz Lake was impaired for transparency in 2022, with a summer average of 1.2 m.
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Lake Ecosystem Updates
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Historic drought
The drought in 2021 was the worst in Minnesota since 1988. This drought continued into 2022 and caused water levels to recede to near historic lows. Record amounts of snow this past winter improved drought conditions in the spring, but now much of Carver County and the state are again experiencing abnormally dry conditions. We will continue to track impacts of this prolonged drought as we monitor our aquatic ecosystems this year.
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Fish Kills
Have you noticed dead fish on the shores of Reitz Lake this spring? These fish are part of a large fish kill that occurred on Reitz Lake this past winter. Fish kills can occur over winter when lake oxygen levels drop. Usually, plants produce oxygen via photosynthesis throughout winter using sunlight that passes through the ice. However, we had significant snowfalls last winter that covered the ice on the lake and prevented sunlight from reaching the water, which caused oxygen levels to drop as plants could not perform photosynthesis. A lack of oxygen likely caused numerous fish kills across lakes in Carver County.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources technicians performed a fish survey on Reitz Lake in June 2021. They found healthy populations of many fish species, including bluegill, black crappie, and northern pike. Many anglers know this already, but Reitz Lake has a very healthy fish community with many popular catches. However, the fish kill over the winter of 2022-2023 may have impacted fish populations on the lake. The Department of Natural Resources will continue to monitor fish populations on Reitz Lake after this fish kill to determine the overall impact to the aquatic ecosystem.
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Protect Reitz Lake
What can you do to keep Reitz Lake healthy?
The ways we live on and around lakes have large impacts on water quality. Check out this video from the Anoka County Soil and Water Conservation District to see how we impact lake health, and what we can do to ensure we are good stewards of our water.
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Reitz Lake Ravine Stabilization
In 2020, a feasibility study was completed to assess the best method to stabilize a growing ravine on the northwest side of Reitz Lake (see map below). This ravine has been growing since 2000 and deposits significant amounts of sediment into the lake, exacerbating the lake's issues with excessive nutrients and algae blooms. Staff will complete project designs this year and will begin construction to stabilize this ravine in the next few years.
Map of Reitz Lake with topography of the ravine on the northwest side of the lake highlighted.
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There are several programs and opportunities for you to help keep our water clean!
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Water Quality Cost-Share Program
The Carver County Water Management Organization wants to help you protect our water! If you have a project you would like to implement that will improve water quality, we can match 75% (up to $5,000) of the cost of your project. These projects include raingardens, shoreline restoration, water reuse projects, and more!
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Pollinator Conservation Program
The Carver County Soil and Water Conservation District has funding to help you install new pollinator gardens! These gardens provide food and shelter to native pollinators and keep our water clean by preventing soil erosion and stopping runoff from reaching lakes and streams. You may receive up to $2,000 to create this beautiful habitat!
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Shoreline Habitat Program
How healthy is your shoreline? Native plants keep runoff out of our lakes and streams better than turf grass. The Carver County Soil and Water Conservation District has funding to convert your turf grass shoreline into native habitat. You may receive 75% (up to $2,500) to establish native shorelines that keep our lakes clean!
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Love your aquatic plants, here's why...
Native aquatic plants are key to maintaining high-water quality and promoting lake ecosystem health! Reitz Lake is home to 9 species of native aquatic plants, including coontail, white water lily, leafy pondweed, and duckweed. These plants have several roles in protecting Reitz Lake, which we will explore below.
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Preventing lake shore erosion
Aquatic plant roots hold soil in place and prevent waves from wind and boating from kicking up sediment. This prevents shoreline erosion and helps keep water clear.
Providing food and shelter to aquatic animals
Plants are the basis of the food web and provide shelter for many animals, which allows Reitz Lake to support a community of fish, amphibians, insects, and waterfowl.
Filtering water
Aquatic plants remove phosphorus and nitrogen from the water to grow, which prevents algae blooms from developing during the summer.
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What if plants interfere with recreation?
It may be unenjoyable to swim and boat in areas of the lake with many aquatic plants. But it is also unenjoyable to recreate on lakes with very poor water quality. In some circumstances, it is against the law to destroy or remove aquatic plants from lakes without a permit from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Always check with the DNR before removing aquatic vegetation and leave as many aquatic plants as possible that do not interfere with recreation.
Invasive aquatic plants
Unfortunately, not all aquatic plants are beneficial for lake health. Invasive aquatic plants can take over lakes and kill native plants. Reitz Lake currently contains two species of invasive aquatic plants: Eurasian watermilfoil and curlyleaf pondweed. We can prevent the spread of these plants by supporting diverse native aquatic plant communities, which makes it harder for invasive plants to establish in a lake. Always make sure to check your boat and fishing equipment for aquatic hitchhikers when moving between lakes to prevent further spread of invasive species in Carver County.
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You can make a big difference in the quality of Reitz Lake! Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions, comments, or concerns about lake and stream health in Carver County.
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