Birch Lake

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Birch Lake, in White Bear Lake, is a unique lake. It is a shallow lake, with the deepest spot found at 7.4 feet, and has excellent water quality, putting it in the mesotrophic category of the TSI (Trophic State Index) grading. With a subcatchment (watershed) area of 647 acres, Birch receives a good amount of chloride and nutrient loading from surrounding development. Surprisingly, the lake defies odds  and exhibits nutrient levels well below state standards. The lake receives inflow from its surrounding subcatchment, and outflows in the north of the lake through the Rotary Park stream. The stream then connects with North Oaks Chain of Lakes, and then eventually flows into East Vadnais Lake.

The Birch Lake Improvement District (BLID) acts as the lake association for Birch, and has a great pride and is very active in the protection of their lake, from funding additional water quality monitoring, to weed control and fish stocking. Vegetation and fish studies have been conducted on the lake, as well as shoreline restorations and raingardens around the lake. 

Studies: Birch Lake

• Birch Lake SLMP: 2020
• Birch Lake EWM and Point Intercept Survey 2019
• Birch Lake Bathymetry (lake contours) 2019
• Birch Lake SLMP Appendix C Aquatic Plant Survey
• Birch Lake SLMP Appendix B Lake Sediment Survey
• Birch Lake Vegetation Survey 2013
• Birch Lake Fish Survey 2011
• Birch Lake SLMP: Appendix A Shoreland Inventory (2007)
• Birch Lake Aquatic Plant Check 2015
• Birch Lake Aquatic Invasive Species Action Plan 2015
• Birch Lake Sediment Survey 2008
• Birch Lake Fish Survey 2014
• Birch Lake Aquatic Plant Survey 2013
• Birch Lake Retrofit Report 2013

Birch Lake Improvement District (BLID)

• Birch Lake Vegetation Survey 2013
• BLID Newsletter Fall 2015
• Birch Lake Sediment Survey 2008