Lake Management Plan
The Long Lake Management Plan was developed in 2006. Many projects have been implemented within the lake's subwatershed, resulting in an improving trend and meeting state standards for water quality for nutrients. Long Lake is being considered for de-listing on the impaired waters list for excess nutrients. However, due to the urbanized watershed and salts being applied to roads, driveways, and parking lots, Long Lake has recently been listed as impaired for excess chlorides.
Water Quality and Lake Level Data
Water Monitoring by the WCD
The Washington Conservation District (WCD)'s water monitoring team monitors Long Lake for water quality every two weeks from spring through fall each year. The previous year's data becomes available each spring in the BCWD Monitoring Summary, which can be found on the Monitoring and Data Collection webpage. The lakes are listed alphabetically in Appendix A.
LakeFinder Data
The data collected by the WCD, including lake elevations, are reported regularly to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to be added into LakeFinder. LakeFinder data for Long Lake can be found at the following link: dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=82002100. The 100-year high water level for Long Lake is 894.93 ft. See BCWD's Flooding webpage for tips on how to plan for high water.
Aquatic Vegetation
Long Lake is home to many unique aquatic plant species that are a sign of improving lake health. An aquatic vegetation survey was completed in 2025, and the results can be found in the Long Lake Aquatic Vegetation Survey Summary (PDF)
Flood Risk Assessment
A flood risk assessment was completed for Long Lake in 2020 and shared with residents in February 2021.
- Long Lake Flood Risk Evaluation - Presentation to BCWD Board December 2020
- Long_Lake_Flood_Evaluation_- Full report January 2018
Since this report and community meetings, the City of Stillwater has raised Mid Oaks Avenue and has plans to raise the trail at the outlet to the 62nd Street Pond. This project is being proposed as a 50% cost-share with BCWD in 2024.
History of Long Lake Management
Long Lake Subwatershed - Management History Presentation - 55 minute video by District Engineers, Emmons & Olivier Resources
Completed Projects
Education and Events
Virtual Tour
Learn about projects around Long Lake in the Long Lake Virtual Tour. This includes projects that were shared on a walking tour with BCWD Managers and Citizens Advisory Committee members in September 2025.
2024 Water Quality and Flood Risk Workshop
In December 2024, BCWD held an online workshop for Masterman and Wood Pile Lake landowners. The purpose of the meeting was to empower residents to help protect water quality, restore native shoreline, and make personal choices about how to respond to their level of flood risk. The agenda included an overview of shallow lake ecology, sharing results of water quality and flooding assessments, and offering free site visits and technical assistance. Watch the meeting recording on YouTube.