Lake Phalen

Last updated
Phalen Lake
Sunset over Lake Phalen.jpg
USA Minnesota relief location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Phalen Lake
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red pog.svg
Phalen Lake
Location St. Paul / Maplewood, Minnesota, United States
Coordinates 44°59′N93°03′W / 44.983°N 93.050°W / 44.983; -93.050
Primary outflows Phalen Creek
Basin  countriesUnited States
Surface area198 acres (0.80 km2) [1]
Average depth24 feet (7 m) [2]
Max. depth91 feet (28 m) [1]
Shore length13 miles (5 km) [1]
Surface elevation860 feet (262 m) [3]
References [1] [2] [3]
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Lake Phalen is an urban lake located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and in its suburb of Maplewood. It is one of the largest lakes in Saint Paul and is the centerpiece of the Phalen Regional Park System. [4] The lake drains into the Mississippi River after traveling through Phalen Creek. The lake and surrounding 494-acre (2.00 km2) park receive around 500,000 visitors each year. [5]

Contents

Lake

Lake Phalen is one of the Twin Cities' most popular fishing lakes. The lake is stocked with walleyes every other year and tiger muskies every three years. The lake also has northern pike, largemouth bass, crappie and sunfish that are able to maintain population levels naturally. [6] The lake has a 23-square-mile (60 km2) watershed. [7] The lake is also home to an unusual fish. The rainbow darter was first found in 1996 by workers from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The fish normally lives in fast moving streams. The fish is only found in six to eight other streams in Minnesota. [8] Eurasian watermilfoil, an invasive species to Minnesota, was first discovered in the lake in 1997 and continues to grow in the lake.

Boating

Canoe docks on the shore of Lake Phalen Lake Phalen canoe docks.jpg
Canoe docks on the shore of Lake Phalen

The lake has always had sailing and boating. In the 1890s sailing was very popular. In 1919, 880 canoes were stored onshore. Now the Saint Paul Sailing Club has space to moor 50 boats on the lake. [9] In addition the lake hosts College rowing competitions on a 1,940-meter course. [10] [11] The University of Minnesota holds several meets a year at Lake Phalen. The first competition to be held was in the spring of 2003 after the U of M elevated rowing to a Varsity Sport in 2000. [12] In 2006, the Big Ten Championships were held at Lake Phalen. [13] Currently gas powered motors are not allowed on the lake. Electrical trolling motors however are allowed.

History

Cloud and water lily Cloud and Water Lily (843564879).jpg
Cloud and water lily

Lake Phalen was named after an early Irish settler of Saint Paul, Edward Phelan. Phalen built a cabin near Phalen Creek in Swede Hollow. Phalen Creek travels from Lake Phalen and drains into the Mississippi River just north of Lambert's Landing. The lake that was drained by the creek became known as Phalen's Lake despite Phelan never living near its shores. [14] :639–640 The Saint Paul Water Company set up a supply plant at Lake Phalen in 1869 and the lake was used as Saint Paul's primary source of water until 1913. [14] :155 John Fletcher Williams, a local historian, wrote in 1876 "It is a disgrace, that the name of this brutal murderer has been affixed to one of our most beautiful lakes - one that supplies our households with water." [15] [16] Phalen had been accused of murdering his partner, John Hays in 1839, however another man later confessed to Hays' murder. [17]

Soon after the park was acquired, in 1899, the Saint Paul Board of Park Commissioners attempted to "tame" the lake shore. Emergent vegetation and other plants, such as bulrush, grew all around the lake shore. The lake shore became almost constantly dredged and wetland areas around the lake were filled in to create lawn space. Eventually 400,000 cubic yards (305,822 m3) of vegetation and sediment was dredged from around the lake shore. In the 1920s, 50 percent of the shoreline was lined with riprap. Beginning in 1906 with a herd of sheep, the lawn space next to the lake was cut right up to the lake shore. [18] As a result of these practices shoreline erosion became a problem. In 2001, the lake began a five-year shoreline restoration program. The program converted a majority of the riprap to natural vegetation. The percentage natural vegetation around the lake changed from 28 percent to 74 percent. [19]

Park

The city of Saint Paul acquired the lake and surrounding area in 1899 for $22,000. [20] The area surrounding the lake has been made into a 494-acre (2.00 km2) park. [14] :214–215 The park has the only swimming lake in Saint Paul. An 18 hole golf course is also located in the park. [20] A Chinese garden is being developed with St. Paul's sister city, Changsha, China. Phalen Park is a sister to that city's Yanghu Wetland's Park. A replica of the latter's pavilion is being sent in exchange for five Peanuts statues. [21] Along the west side of the shoreline is a monument that the Civilian Conservation Corps built to commemorate their work in improving the park.

Phalen Creek

Phalen Creek in Swede Hollow PhalenCreek.JPG
Phalen Creek in Swede Hollow

Phalen Creek drains the lake and flows into the Mississippi River. Near the turn of the 20th century most of the creek was covered over and routed through sewers. Since then there have been several attempts to completely uncover it. [22] A portion of the lower creek is uncovered and runs along the Bruce Vento Regional Trail. [23]

PLAN Phalen Lake Association of Neighbors

PLAN was founded in 2009 with its stated mission to, "Advocate for and preserve the quality of life of neighborhoods around Phalen lake." [24] The organization consists of people living in and around the Phalen Lake area. The association has no public or private funding, and all of its administrators donate their time. PLAN also hosts an online calendar of events for activities focusing on the lake. [25]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Lake information report:Phalen Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
  2. 1 2 Lake Phalen (62-0013) Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District
  3. 1 2 Lake Phalen Fishing in Ramsey County, Minnesota Fishing Works
  4. Lake Phalen Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
  5. Lake Phalen Shoreland Restoration Project Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District
  6. Niskanen, Chris (July 2, 1998), "Lake Phalen has it all, Except Catfish", Saint Paul Pioneer Press
  7. The search for better fishing Archived 2008-09-10 at the Wayback Machine Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
  8. Debevec, Chuck (October 2001), "Little Fish Proves a Big Mystery at Phalen Lake" Archived 2008-09-06 at the Wayback Machine The Riverview Times
  9. Yuen, Laura (August 31, 2007) "Setting Sail in Saint Paul - Lake Phalen might not have the allure of Lake Calhoun But Shawn Towle Hopes Sailing Will Catch On At The East Side Spot With The Help Of His Club, Which Offers Lessons, Races And Space To Moor Boats", Saint Paul Pioneer Press
  10. Perkins, Matt (April 24, 2006), "Minnesota wins four of five contests in meet at Lake Phalen" Archived 2006-05-02 at the Wayback Machine , Minnesota Daily
  11. Gerhardt, Nick (April 23, 2007), "Gophers handle Jayhawks on Lake Phalen" [ permanent dead link ], Minnesota Daily
  12. (April 23, 2003), "Rowers preparing for weekend home race with UCLA" [ permanent dead link ], Minnesota Daily
  13. Perkins, Nick, (May 1, 2006), "Minnesota is second with three Big Ten titles" Archived 2006-05-05 at the Wayback Machine , Minnesota Daily
  14. 1 2 3 Empson, Donald; Don Boxmeyer; Kathleen M. Vadnais (2006). The Street Where You Live: A Guide to the Place Names of St. Paul . Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. ISBN   978-0-8166-4729-3.
  15. Johnston, Minnesota's Irish, 14
  16. Williams, A History of the City of Saint Paul, and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota, 146
  17. Lareau, Paul. "Pig's Eye Notepad". Archived from the original on 2008-03-29. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  18. Background and History of Lake Phalen Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District
  19. Five-Year Shoreland Restoration Plan Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District
  20. 1 2 Phalen Park Archived 2007-10-11 at the Wayback Machine Saint Paul Parks and Recreation
  21. St. Paul Chinese garden getting pavilion gift from sister city
  22. Kelly, Sean T. (August 14, 1991), "PHALEN CREEK 'S REBIRTH POSSIBLE THROUGH PROJECT", Saint Paul Pioneer Press

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Ontario</span> Easternmost of Great Lakes in U.S. and Canada

Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north, west, and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south and east by the U.S. state of New York. The Canada–United States border spans the centre of the lake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Paul, Minnesota</span> Capital city of Minnesota, United States

Saint Paul is the capital of the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Ramsey County. Situated on high bluffs overlooking a bend in the Mississippi River, Saint Paul is a regional business hub and the center of Minnesota's government. The Minnesota State Capitol and the state government offices all sit on a hill close to the city's downtown district. One of the oldest cities in Minnesota, Saint Paul has several historic neighborhoods and landmarks, such as the Summit Avenue Neighborhood, the James J. Hill House, and the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Like the adjacent city of Minneapolis, Saint Paul is known for its cold, snowy winters and humid summers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Winnipeg</span> Large glacial lake in Manitoba, Canada

Lake Winnipeg is a very large, relatively shallow 24,514-square-kilometre (9,465 sq mi) lake in North America, in the province of Manitoba, Canada. Its southern end is about 55 kilometres (34 mi) north of the city of Winnipeg. Lake Winnipeg is Canada's sixth-largest freshwater lake and the third-largest freshwater lake contained entirely within Canada, but it is relatively shallow excluding a narrow 36 m (118 ft) deep channel between the northern and southern basins. It is the eleventh-largest freshwater lake on Earth. The lake's east side has pristine boreal forests and rivers that were in 2018 inscribed as Pimachiowin Aki, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lake is 416 km (258 mi) from north to south, with remote sandy beaches, large limestone cliffs, and many bat caves in some areas. Manitoba Hydro uses the lake as one of the largest reservoirs in the world. There are many islands, most of them undeveloped.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Minnetonka</span> Collection of lakes, bays and areas in Minnesota, US

Lake Minnetonka is a lake located about 16 miles (26 km) west-southwest of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Lake Minnetonka has about 23 named bays and areas. The lake lies within Hennepin and Carver counties and is surrounded by 13 incorporated municipalities. At 14,528 acres (5,879 ha), it is Minnesota's ninth largest lake. It is a popular spot for local boaters, sailors, and fishermen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Merritt</span> Tidal lagoon in the center of Oakland, California

Lake Merritt is a lake located in a large tidal lagoon basin in the center of Oakland, California, just east of Downtown. It is named after Samuel Merritt, Oakland's mayor in 1867–1869, who had the lagoon dammed turning the tidal lagoon into a salt water lake. It is surrounded by parkland and city neighborhoods. Historically significant as the first official wildlife refuge in the United States, designated in 1870, the lake has been listed as a National Historic Landmark since 1963. The circumference of the lake is 3.4 miles (5.5 km), with an area of 155 acres (63 ha).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Voyageurs National Park</span> National park in Minnesota, United States

Voyageurs National Park is an American national park in northern Minnesota near the city of International Falls established in 1975. The park's name commemorates the voyageurs—French-Canadian fur traders who were the first European settlers to frequently travel through the area. Notable for its outstanding water resources, the park is popular with canoeists, kayakers, other boaters, and fishermen. The Kabetogama Peninsula, which lies entirely within the park and makes up most of its land area, is accessible only by boat. To the east of the park lies the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bulkhead (barrier)</span> Anti-flooding structure

A bulkhead is a retaining wall, such as a bulkhead within a ship or a watershed retaining wall. It may also be used in mines to contain flooding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gibbons Creek Reservoir</span> Power plant cooling reservoir in Texas, US

Gibbons Creek Reservoir is a power plant cooling reservoir on Gibbons Creek in the Navasota River basin, 20 miles (32 km) east of College Station, Texas, United States. The dam and lake are managed by Texas Municipal Power Agency (TMPA), which uses the reservoir as a cooling pond for a coal-fired power plant generating electricity for the cities of Bryan, Denton, Garland, and Greenville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Shetek</span> Lake in the state of Minnesota, United States

Lake Shetek is the largest lake in southwestern Minnesota, United States, and the headwaters of the Des Moines River. It is located in The Lakes, an unincorporated community in Murray County a few miles north-northwest of Currie. The name Shetek is derived from "pelican" in the Ojibwe language.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Maria State Park</span> State park in Minnesota, United States

Lake Maria State Park is a state park of Minnesota, United States, created to provide a wilderness area within an easy drive of Minneapolis–Saint Paul. The park's amenities are designed primarily for hikers, backpackers, and horseback riders and consequently use remains light compared to other state parks around the metro area. It preserves a remnant of Big Woods atop a hilly, glacially-formed landscape dotted with lakes and wetlands. The park was established in 1963 west of the city of Monticello.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green Lake (Wisconsin)</span> Lake in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, USA

Green Lake — also known as Big Green Lake — is a lake in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, United States. Green Lake has a maximum depth of 237 ft (72 m), making it the deepest natural inland lake in Wisconsin and the second largest by volume. The lake covers 29.72 km2 and has an average depth of 30.48 m (100.0 ft). Green Lake has 43.94 km (27.30 mi) of diverse shoreline, ranging from sandstone bluffs to marshes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rice Creek (Mississippi River tributary)</span> River in Minnesota, United States of America

Rice Creek is a tributary of the Mississippi River in the northern suburbs of the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area of Minnesota in the United States. It is approximately 28 miles (45 km) long and drains a watershed of 201 square miles (520 km2).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dayton's Bluff, Saint Paul</span> Neighborhood in Ramsey, Minnesota, United States

Dayton's Bluff is a neighborhood located on the east side of the Mississippi River in the southeast part of the city of Saint Paul, Minnesota which has a large residential district on the plateau extending backward from its top. The name of the bluff commemorates Lyman Dayton, for whom a city in Hennepin County was also named. On the edge of the southern and highest part of Dayton's Bluff, in Indian Mounds Park, is a series of seven large aboriginal mounds, 4 to 18 feet high, that overlook the river and the central part of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gateway State Trail</span>

The Gateway State Trail is a multi-use recreational rail trail in the U.S. state of Minnesota, running 18 miles (29 km) from Saint Paul to Pine Point Regional Park in Stillwater. It runs through urban landscapes of eastern Saint Paul in Ramsey County and rural farmland and forests in Washington County. It was designated a National Recreation Trail in 2002.

Edward Phelan, also Phalen or Felyn (c.1811–1850), was an early settler of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Phelan was born in approximately 1811 in Derry, Ireland and later became, along with John Hays and William Evans, one of the first settlers of Saint Paul. Phelan was later accused of Hays' murder, the first ever in Saint Paul, but was acquitted. He was indicted for perjury a year later but fled to California before he could be prosecuted. Phelan was killed by his companions in what they describe as self-defense before he could reach California. Many locations in Saint Paul, Minnesota are named after Phelan as a result of his early land claims. Phelan's name was spelled variously and as a result most locations are named Phalen and not Phelan

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shawano Lake</span> Lake in the state of Wisconsin, United States

Shawano Lake is a lake situated in Shawano County in northeastern Wisconsin. Shawano Lake is a hard water drainage lake with multiple inlets and one major outlet, the Wolf River. A dam on the Wolf River located in the City of Shawano raises the water levels of Shawano Lake. Shawano Lake is approximately 6,178 acres (25.00 km2), with an average depth of approximately 9 feet (2.7 m) and a maximum depth of approximately 42 feet (13 m). The shoreline length is estimated at 18 miles (29 km). The Towns of Wescott, and Washington, and the Village of Cecil border Shawano Lake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gull Lake (Cass County, Minnesota)</span>

Gull Lake is a lake in the U.S. state of Minnesota, located in Cass County and Crow Wing County. It is one of the largest lakes in the Brainerd, Minnesota-Baxter, Minnesota area and also one of the most popular for vacationing and for recreation. Of the seven Gull Lakes in Minnesota, this Gull Lake is the largest in area and shoreline. The shoreline is highly developed with residential and commercial interests. For each shoreline mile there are 27.8 homes or cabins. There are 19 resorts on Gull Lake, including notably Cragun's, Madden's, and Grand View Lodge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boeing Creek</span> Stream in Shoreline, United States

Boeing Creek is a stream in the U.S. state of Washington, located in the city of Shoreline, just north of Seattle. It is about 1.6 miles (2.6 km) long and empties into Puget Sound. The creek is heavily modified along its course, and in many places has been diverted into culverts. The watershed of Boeing Creek is about 11.2 square miles (29 km2) in size, with two main tributaries aside from the mainstem. The creek takes its name from William Boeing, who built a mansion along the creek in 1913. Despite the river modifications and stormwater pollution, the creek supports a variety of riparian habitats, native animals and fishes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manitou River (Minnesota)</span> River in Minnesota, United States

The Manitou River is a 24.9-mile-long (40.1 km) river in northern Minnesota, which drains into Lake Superior along its north shore about three miles northeast of Little Marais. It flows southeast through the Superior National Forest, Finland State Forest, and George H. Crosby Manitou State Park in Lake County.

References