Northwood Lake Stormwater Improvements, New Hope, Minnesota

The City of New Hope is a fully developed community located in the northwestern portion of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Metropolitan area. Development in the City generally occurred in the 1950s to the early 1970s, prior to stormwater regulations being introduced. This resulted in many neighborhoods, such as the ones surrounding Northwood Lake, that collect runoff and discharge directly into the nearest body of water. Over time, the nutrients from the runoff accumulate in these water bodies, causing them to become impaired and resulting in excessive algae or aquatic weed growth. Northwood Lake is no different; the state of Minnesota has determined it to be an impaired water for excess nutrients and is currently conducting a total maximum daily load (TMDL) study for the watershed that contributes to the lake.