News & Events

Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) has been working to improve water quality in Como Lake for more than 20 years and in 2020, for the first time on record, the lake nearly met the state standard for phosphorous.  This means fewer algae blooms, less odor, better habitat and a healthier Como Lake for humans and wildlife alike.

CRWD remains committed to working towards the goals we developed in collaboration with the community and our partners as part of the Como Lake Management Plan.  Keep reading to learn more about our efforts to restore the native aquatic plant community, understand the experiences and desires of people fishing at Como Lake, assess the plants in and around the shoreline, and engage residents in prioritizing our work together in 2022-2024.

Restoring Como Lake’s Native Aquatic Plant Community

CRWD and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are working to create a more diverse aquatic plant community in Como Lake by transplanting a variety of native plant species from a nearby lake. On September 14, 2021, over 500 individual plants were transplanted into Como Lake from a list of ten different native aquatic plant species.

Four fenced-in enclosures were constructed around the lake to serve as nurseries for the transplanted aquatic plants. The enclosures protect the them from fish, wind, wave action, and human disturbance so they can take root, grow, and eventually produce more plants. CRWD is closely monitoring the nurseries to see how the plants establish in their new environment.

Aquatic plants are an important part of a lake’s ecosystem because they provide food and shelter for wildlife such as ducks, turtles, fish, and bugs. Como Lake’s native aquatic plant community has declined over the years due to poor water quality conditions and the takeover of an invasive aquatic plant called curly-leaf pondweed. CRWD has been working to reduce curly-leaf pondweed in the lake to allow for native plants to return as part of the ongoing effort to improve Como Lake.

Transplanted species include wild celery, sago pondweed, flat-stem pondweed, , chara/musk grass, coontail/hornwort, elodea/Canadian waterweed, water star grass,  large-leaf pondweed, clasping-leaf pondweed, and slender naiad.

Como Lake Fishing Survey

CRWD staff and volunteers gathered over 80 surveys from people fishing at Como Lake from May through October 2021. CRWD trained volunteers to interview people fishing at the lake and collect data. Questions asked included time spent fishing on the lake, target fish species, number and size of fish caught and harvested, and opinions on their interactions with the fish in the lake. The purpose of the surveys is to learn more about public use of the lake, the quality of the fishery and public desires for the future the fishery. The survey also serves as an opportunity to engage and collaborate with the public and offers community science opportunities for volunteers. The quality of the Como Lake fishery and plans to improve it are the focus of the Como Lake Fishery Management Plan (adopted February 2021).

Como Lake Fish Population and Carp Surveys

Como Lake fish populations species type and size were surveyed by the Minnesota DNR in June 2021 as part of their routine sampling that occurs every five years on the lake. Data from this survey will be available on DNR’s LakeFinder in winter 2021-2022.

CRWD conducted additional fish surveys in 2021 to capture data that is not included in the routine DNR survey, as recommended in the Como Lake Fishery Management Plan. Additional surveys completed in 2021 include a nearshore fish community survey and physical habitat assessment to evaluate the fish living along the lake’s shoreline and the habitat conditions for nesting areas, fish shelter, and food sources. The nearshore fish community includes smaller species that are not typically captured by the DNR survey but are critical indicators of the food web dynamics that impact water quality in the lake. The data from these surveys will inform future habitat improvement projects.

CRWD also conducted a survey of common carp populations in Como Lake using standardized boat electrofishing techniques. The data is critical for understanding whether a carp removal will be needed at Como Lake. Common carp are non-native species that contribute to poor water quality conditions and prevent native plants from growing.

Como Lake Shoreline Assessment and Plan

CRWD has been working to develop the Como Lakeshore Management Plan which will guide the maintenance and management of the areas in and around Como Lake’s shoreline over the next 20 years. An assessment of the shoreline was conducted in September 2020 to inform the development of the plan.

The plan will help CRWD and the City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation staff prioritize routine shoreline maintenance and plan for larger-scale or site-specific shoreline improvement projects.

The Como Lakeshore Management Plan will be developed throughout October-December 2021 and CRWD will seek input on the draft plan in December 2021. Plan adoption is anticipated for January 2022 and implementation will begin in the spring/summer of 2022.

Como Lake Short Term Implementation Plan for 2022-2024

The Como Lake Management Plan (CLMP) is a 20-year adaptive management plan. In fall 2021, CRWD staff with the help of partners and the public will be updating the next Short-term Implementation Plan (2022-2024) of the CLMP.

The Short-Term Implementation Plan defines the specific projects, programs, and actions for the next three years. It includes short-term and ongoing recommended actions from the CLMP and further lists each action’s schedule, estimated cost, lead agency, and partners. Progress achieved from the actions implemented from the current plan is evaluated as part of the new plan development.

CRWD will seek input as the new three-year plan is developed. The public will be invited to provide feedback in late 2021/early 2022. The final 2022-2024 CLMP Short-term Implementation Plan will be adopted in early 2022. Details about the CLMP and a link to the full plan PDF are on the Como Lake page.

Como Golf Course Clean Water Projects

In 2020, CRWD constructed two clean water projects at Como Golf Course to help improve water quality in Como Lake. The projects were recently completed with signs installed nearby. Near the fairway of Hole 7 a large rain garden with an underground infiltration system captures polluted stormwater runoff from 63-acres of land. The water is cleaned as it moves through the soil, removing pollutants that would have otherwise ended up in Como Lake. The stormwater pond between Holes 3 and 11 receives water from 681 acres of land. An iron-enhanced sand filter was added to the pond to remove dissolved phosphorus, a pollutant in the water that fuels algae growth before it flows to Como Lake. A smart control system at the pond outlet optimizes performance of the filter and reduces flooding.

Help Protect Como Lake with Como Curb Clean-Ups

Como residents can help protect Como Lake by joining the Como Curb Cleanups, a neighborhood fall tradition for over a decade. Neighbors commit to clearing the curb in front of their home and alley of leaves during the fall to help protect water quality at Como Lake. The combined efforts of neighbors help prevent pollution and algae in the lake.

Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) has been working to improve water quality in Como Lake for more than 20 years. Following in-lake alum and herbicide treatments in 2020, phosphorus and curly-leaf pondweed levels significantly declined. This means fewer algae blooms, less odor, better habitat and a healthier Como Lake for humans and wildlife alike.

CRWD remains committed to working towards the goals we developed in collaboration with the community and our partners as part of the Como Lake Management Plan.  Keep reading to learn more about our efforts to restore the native aquatic plant community, reduce the invasive common carp populations in the lake, and engage residents in prioritizing our work together.

Native Aquatic Plants and Invasive Curly-leaf Pondweed

Native aquatic plants are critical to Como Lake’s water quality and ecosystem health. They provide food and shelter for wildlife such as ducks, turtles, fish, and bugs. Como Lake’s native aquatic plant community has declined over the years due to poor water quality conditions and the takeover of an invasive aquatic plant called curly-leaf pondweed. CRWD has been working to reduce curly-leaf pondweed in the lake to create space for native plants to return. Following in-lake herbicide treatments in 2020 and 2021, curly-leaf pondweed decreased by 96% from 2019 pre-treatment levels.  CRWD will continue to explore methods for reducing curly-leaf pondweed since the plant will never be fully eradicated.

In September 2021, native aquatic plants were transplanted into Como Lake and placed in four fenced-in enclosures that served as nurseries. This growing season has shown that the plants are thriving in the enclosures and have spread outside the fencing in some areas. In September 2022, CRWD staff with assistance from Ramsey County Soil and Water Division (RCSWD) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, spread 4,000 live native aquatic plants at 10 locations around the lake. The native aquatic plant community is closely monitored by CRWD and RCSWD.

Common Carp

Common carp are invasive fish that contribute to poor water quality by stirring up the bottom of the lake while searching for food. During feeding, they uproot plants, muddy the waters for native fish, and allow excess nutrients stored in the lake bottom to be released and later consumed by algae. Common carp are one of the most damaging aquatic invasive species due to their wide distribution and severe impacts in shallow lakes and wetlands.

Surveys conducted in 2021 estimated the population of common carp in Como Lake to be above the critical water quality threshold. Box nets were set around the lake from August to October 2022 to capture carp. The nets were baited with corn, a food attractive to carp but not of interest to other fish in Como Lake. The nets were pulled three times and captured a total of 15 common carp. The carp behavior observed was unusual with low feeding rates. CRWD continued to survey the common carp population in 2022 and now estimates that 130-150 carp remain in the lake. We will work to remove the carp population through different methods in the coming years.

Pavilion Parking Lots

The City of Saint Paul repaved and reconstructed the parking lots near the Como Lakeside Pavilion. CRWD helped design stormwater management improvements. Rain gardens were installed by both the north and south lots to reduce pollution entering the lake. Combined, the rain gardens will remove an estimated 7 pounds of phosphorus. That’s equivalent to 3,500 pounds of algae!

Opening in fall 2022, a boat launch near the south parking lot roundabout will be available for non-motorized watercraft like canoes, kayaks and paddleboards.

Community Activities

CRWD hosted or supported several community activities at Como Lake in 2022. Three walking tours in September 2022 informed over 30 residents about the lake’s water quality and ongoing efforts to improve it. Many great questions and discussions were shared on the tours. CRWD hosts tours every fall, watch for the events in our monthly newsletter, and on our website or social media channels.

Trained volunteers interviewed people fishing at the lake, an effort that continued from 2021. Questions asked included time spent fishing on the lake, target fish species, number and size of fish caught, and opinions on their interactions with the fish in the lake. The purpose of the surveys is to learn more about public use of the lake, the quality of the fishery and public desires for the future of the fishery.

In August 2022, CRWD hosted a community fishing event at Como Lake in partnership with the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Get the Lead Out. We plan to repeat this event in the future.
The D10 Como Community Council, with support from a CRWD Partner Grant, hosted four trash cleanup events at Como Lake throughout the warmer months of 2022. Combined, a total of 112 volunteers contributed 254 hours and collected 337 pounds of trash in and around the lake!

Como residents can help protect Como Lake by joining the Como Curb Cleanups, a neighborhood fall tradition for over a decade. Neighbors commit to clearing the curb in front of their home and alley of leaves during the fall to help protect water quality at Como Lake. The combined efforts of neighbors help prevent pollution and algae in the lake. In 2021, combined efforts from the Como Curb Cleanups removed 9.78 pounds of phosphorus, the equivalent of 4,890 pounds of algae, before it reached the lake.

Annual Lake Monitoring

CRWD monitors Como Lake to collect data and understand the conditions of the lake. Staff conduct bi-monthly water quality sampling and continuous dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, and water level readings from April – November. In the winter the lake is sampled for chloride from ice melt used for roads, parking lots and sidewalks. There is a yearly sample of phytoplankton and zooplankton, the microscopic plants and animals in the lake. During the growing season, there are three surveys of aquatic plants. An annual survey of curly-leaf pondweed turions, the reproductive structures of the plant. There are stormwater monitoring stations at three of the storm sewer outlets into Como Lake that measure stormwater flow and pollutants. All this data helps us understand conditions in Como Lake and measure the success of our efforts.  CRWD’s annual summary of Como Lake’s 2022 water quality results will be available this winter 2023.