Crews Repair Weir Protecting Lake Nokomis

For the past 10 years a dam-like structure called a "weir" has helped keep Lake Nokomis clean. It helps to regulate water levels by releasing or stopping the flow of water, and filters out pollutants from Minnehaha Creek heading to the lake.

Now, it's the frontline in the battle with an invasive species.

Telly Mamayek, with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District says, it is important to repair the weir.

"Zebra mussles were first detected in Lake Minnetonka in 2010 and the proliferation of that aquatic invasive species has continued to increase throughout the lake and it has now been detected in Minnehaha creek," Mamayek said.

The spread of zebra mussels Lake Nokomis could be devastating. This year's drought helped the situation because construction could begin quickly.

Joe Laufgren was at Lake Nokomis to do some stand up paddle boarding. He says he comes out three times a week during lunchtime to get some exercise. Laufgren says, with all the time he spends on the lake, he wants to make sure it's clean.

"It's extremely important to me, because it's an amazing resource that we have here in the cities," Laufgren said.

Mamayek says, the $80,000 project should be complete by the end of October. She says, it's money well spent in stopping the spread of zebra mussels.