Lotus Lake
Located in eastern Chanhassen, Lotus Lake is one of three headwaters of Purgatory Creek. Water flows out of Lotus into the south fork of Purgatory Creek, which eventually meets up with the two other forks of the creek.
Lake size: 248 acres
Watershed size: 1,048 acres
Average depth: 10.1 feet
Maximum depth: 31 feet
DNR Lotus Lake depth mapDNR Shoreland classification: Recreational Development
MPCA classification: Deep lake (average depth greater than 15 feet)
MPCA Impaired Waters status: Impaired for nutrients; Impaired for mercury in fish tissue; Impaired for fish bioassessments
Invasive species: Eurasian Watermilfoil, Curlyleaf Pondweed, Brittle Naiad, Common Carp, Zebra Mussel
Water Quality
Lotus Lake is classified as a “Deep Lake” by the MPCA. To be considered healthy, the lake must have very low average phosphorus and chlorophyll-a levels and an average water clarity of 1.4 meters (4.6 feet) or greater.
From June through September every year, District staff visit this and other lakes every two weeks to collect water samples and take readings. Samples are sent to a laboratory to be tested for nutrients and other compounds. Staff also measure water clarity by lowering a Secchi disk into the water and measuring how deep it goes before it is no longer visible. The data indicates the lake’s health based on standards set by the MPCA.
Lake Grade
RPBCWD staff assigned this letter grade to the lake based upon how well it is meeting water quality goals. Learn more about lake water quality grades.
For more information about the water quality and grades for lakes monitored in the District, visit the lake factsheets page.
For more information about waterbody impairments, visit the Minnesota's Impaired Waters List webpage managed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
