WATERSHED DISTRICT
Middle Fork Crow River
Hubbard, Schultz, Wheeler Chain of Lakes Project
Updated 7/17/2026 - Tentatively this fall, water levels in the Hubbard, Shultz, and Wheeler Chain of Lakes will be temporarily lowered through a planned shallow lake drawdown managed by three water control structures.
What is a drawdown and how does it impact water quality?
A drawdown is a safe, science-based lake management practice that mimics the natural wet and dry cycles that historically occurred before water levels were tightly controlled. These periodic low-water conditions are essential for maintaining healthy shallow lake ecosystems. When water levels are lowered, bottom sediments consolidate and dormant native seed beds, some of which have remained inactive for decades, are exposed and able to germinate. As water levels return, improved water clarity allows more sunlight to penetrate the water column, supporting healthier native aquatic plant communities and wildlife habitat.
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What are the goals with this drawdown?
The primary goals of the drawdown are to improve water quality and clarity, enhance aquatic plant growth, and reduce undesirable fish species such as carp, bullheads, and excessive minnow populations. This effort is especially important because the Hubbard, Shultz, and Wheeler Chain of Lakes contributes nearly 85% of the phosphorus entering Diamond Lake while representing only about 45% of its inflow. Diamond Lake has been designated as an impaired water body, making watershed improvements a priority for long-term lake health.
How what this project funded?
Funding for this project is provided through a partnership of the Outdoor Heritage Fund, local watershed district funds, Minnesota DNR Wildlife, and Ducks Unlimited, all working together to restore and protect water quality for future generations.
Diamond Lake TMDL Implementation
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Hubbard, Schultz, Wheeler Chain of Lakes
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WATER QUALITY DATA – 2018
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The approved Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)* study for Diamond Lake recommended a project to improve the water quality in the Hubbard, Schultz, and Wheeler Lake chain. An estimated 74% and 83% of the total phosphorus entering Diamond Lake from surface runoff in 2008 and 2009, respectively, came from the chain of lakes.
*TMDL is a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can received and still meet water quality standards.
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In 2011, Ducks Unlimited partnered with the Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District and the Diamond Lake Area Recreational Association to investigate the feasibility of actively managing water levels on the Hubbard, Schultz, and Wheeler chain of lakes to enhance their condition. Much of this feasibility work was completed with funding from Minnesota’s Outdoor Heritage Fund as recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.
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The Ducks Unlimited 2012 Feasibility Report details the viability of a Management Plan for the combined purposes of improving wildlife habitat and water quality. The project is envisioned as a cooperative action of the MFCRWD, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and Ducks Unlimited for the construction, operation and maintenance of water control structures to allow for temporary drawdown of the lake chain. Through temporary water level draw-downs, basin sediments are exposed, consolidated, and aerated to allow rooted aquatic plants to germinate from natural seed banks that absorb nutrients and help anchor bottom sediments. Through active water level management, shallow lakes can be managed to persist in a clear water healthy condition, whereas deteriorated, turbid water conditions provides little benefit. Just as fire maintains the health of prairies, we know through science that shallow lakes and wetlands require periods of low water or droughts to stay healthy, productive, and beneficial for waterfowl, wildlife species, and humans as well. High stable water levels, excessive nutrient inflows, invasive fish, and the lack of natural fish winterkill have led to the loss of aquatic vegetation and invertebrate populations, both of which are key elements to a healthy shallow lake system. Essential to improving the overall health of these lakes is our ability to actively manage water levels.
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Moving forward Ducks Unlimited and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will continue working with the Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District, the Diamond Lake Area Recreational Association, and other partners to develop a comprehensive management plan for the entire lake system.