Lakes & Ponds

Nearly 300 bodies of water, from small ponds to large lakes, exist within Burnsville.

Landscaping for Clean Water

Want to help protect Burnsville lakes & ponds from your own yard? We have teamed up with Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation to offer Landscaping for Clean Water Workshops. 

Learn More


crystal lake beach on a sunny day

Common Concerns

Weeds

  • Native plants are crucial for pond health, providing shelter and food for wildlife, reducing shoreline erosion, and absorbing nutrients.
  • Invasive plants may cause issues. Identify them using the Minnesota DNR guide and check regulations on aquatic plant control

Green Color

  • Floating green plants may be duckweed, which is natural and beneficial. Green blobs or fuzzy strings might be algae, and too much can harm water clarity.
  • Reduce algae by lowering phosphorus levels. Algae control is regulated by the MN DNR for "Public Water" bodies.

Dead Fish

  • Dead fish are often a result of low oxygen after harsh winters or summer algae blooms.
  • If you notice large fish kills unrelated to winter, contact the City Natural Resources Staff at 952-895-4550

Smell

  • Smells often come from decomposing plants or algae. They will subside, but to prevent future issues, reduce phosphorus and nutrient levels to avoid algae blooms.

Help Us Protect Burnsville's Lakes and Ponds

Reduce Runoff

  • Rain and snowmelt can wash pollutants off driveways and into storm drains, which lead directly to neighborhood ponds. To reduce runoff, redirect downspouts onto your yard rather than your driveway.
  • Installing a rain barrel or building a rain garden can help capture and manage runoff, preventing pollution from reaching the pond

Keep Fertilizer on the lawn

  • It’s illegal to leave fertilizer on hard surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, or roads, as it can wash into storm drains.
  • Fertilizer should not be applied within 20 feet of any wetland, pond, or lake to prevent runoff into water bodies.

Remove Yard Waste From Streets

  • Yard waste such as leaves, grass clippings, and branches can block storm drains, causing flooding and posing traffic hazards.
  • It’s best to rake yard waste off the street and learn about composting or proper disposal locations.

Pick Up Pet Waste

  • Pet waste can be washed into storm drains and ponds by rain or snowmelt, releasing harmful bacteria (like E. coli, salmonella), parasites (like Giardia), and excess nutrients into the water.
  • Always pick up pet waste and dispose of it in the garbage.

Wash Vehicles on the Lawn

  • When washing vehicles, do it on your lawn instead of your driveway. This prevents soapy water from washing into storm drains and potentially harming nearby ponds
  • Your lawn can absorb the soapy water without negative effects


Keep Hard Surfaces Clean

  • Sweep up grass clippings, spilled fertilizer, oil, and other chemicals from your driveway, sidewalk, and street to prevent them from washing into storm drains.
  • Dispose of any spilled chemicals properly to ensure they don’t end up in the pond

Reduce or Eliminate Winter Salt Use

  • Instead of salt, use sand or non-clumping kitty litter for traction on icy surfaces.
  • Shovel snow promptly to avoid ice buildup, which reduces the need for salt.
  • If you must use salt, follow the manufacturer’s directions, and keep in mind that less than 1 pound of salt is usually enough for 250 square feet (about two parking spaces). A 12-ounce coffee mug holds roughly 1 pound of salt.