Most of Eden Prairie’s lakes and streams, as well as two of the larger wetlands, are defined as Public Waters by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and require shoreland protection.

The City Code includes Shoreland Management provisions to manage and protect these waters for fish and wildlife habitat, and water quality.

Public Waters in Eden Prairie protected by City Code Section 11.50 include:

• Anderson (northwest and southwest), Birch Island, Bryant, Duck, Grass, Idlewild, McCoy, Mitchell, Neill, Rice, Rice Marsh, Riley, Red Rock, Round, Smetana and Staring lakes
• Ponds at Central Middle School and UNFI
• Minnesota River
• Bluff, Nine Mile, Purgatory and Riley creeks

Living next to protected Public Waters involves a number of responsibilities regarding how you can use or manage a shoreland area. The Shoreland Management Guide provides resources for topics including beaches, docks, vegetation management and accessory structures. Work within the shoreland zone requires a Vegetation Management Plan Permit.

Contact the City’s water resources coordinator with questions or concerns about shoreland management.

Related Information

• Buckthorn Management (very common on shoreland)
• Dock Installation — City Code Section 9.60
• Land Alteration Permit (call 952-949-8330)
• MNDNR Permits
• Shoreland Restoration Rebates
• Watercraft Use — City Code Section 9.60