Staring Lake
Staring Lake is located in Eden Prairie, west of Flying Cloud Drive and north of Pioneer Trail. Staring has a public boat ramp and a fishing pier. The Eden Prairie Outdoor Center is also located on its shores, off of Staring Lake Parkway.
Lake size: 166 acres
Watershed size: 10,206 acres
Maximum depth: 16 feet
Average depth: 7 feet
DNR - Staring Lake depth mapDNR Shoreland classification: Recreational Development
MPCA classification: Shallow lake (<15 feet deep)
MPCA Impaired Waters status: Impaired for mercury in fish tissue
Invasive species: Eurasian Watermilfoil, Curlyleaf Pondweed, Brittle Naiad, Common Carp, Purple Loosestrife
Water Quality
Staring 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.
Review the water quality summary on the Staring Lake FactsheetLake 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.
