Rice Marsh Lake
Located in both Eden Prairie and Chanhassen, Rice Marsh Lake is aerated in the winter. This management practice helps keep bluegill sunfish alive so that they can feed on invasive carp eggs in the spring.
Lake size: 83 acres
Watershed size: 966 acres
Average depth: 5 feet
Maximum depth: 11 feet
DNR - Lake Susan/Rice Marsh Lake depth mapDNR Shoreland classification: Natural Environment
MPCA classification: Shallow lake (average depth less than 15 feet)
MPCA Impaired Waters status: Not listed
Invasive species: Curlyleaf Pondweed, Purple Loosestrife, Common Carp
Water Quality
Rice Marsh Lake is classified as a “Shallow 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 1.0 meters (3.3 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.
