OUR IMPACT
A decade of community-based watershed work.
Members, volunteers, city partners, and youth — this is what neighbors can do when they work at the scale of the whole watershed.
LLWA is a small, all-volunteer organization. What we lack in staff, we make up for in collaboration — with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, Carp Solutions, WSB, the Freshwater Society, Orono Schools, and the cities of Long Lake, Orono, and Medina. Here's what that partnership has added up to.
~5× → goal
Carp reduced from nearly 5× the 90 lbs/acre threshold down to about 3,000 fish — very near the management goal
3
Cities working together — Long Lake, Orono, and Medina
300+
Rain barrels installed across the watershed
200+
Active members and volunteers
1,500+
Students engaged through Orono Schools partnerships
7
Lakes protected across the Long Lake Creek Watershed
Every fish tagged, every rain barrel installed, and every student who leaves knowing where their watershed starts — it all adds up.
— LLWA Board
Rain barrels are offered through the Recycling Association of Minnesota for $120. Pickup is late spring in Mound, MN.
Reserve yours
Email longlakewaters@gmail.com to be added to the next sale list.
Milestones
2017
LLWA formalizes as a community-based watershed association and earns 501(c)(3) status.
2018
Carp population assessment launches with WSB and the MCWD; Orono Schools students join on-lake electrofishing.
2019
First winter carp seine and first AIS Training for LLWA members.
2021
First Earth Day watershed trash walk. Over 1,000 carp removed. Lakeside Wine + Spirits launches a charitable drive for in-lake work.
2022
Another ~900 carp removed. Carp fishing contest with the Orono Lions. Dog waste stations installed at public access points.
2023
Rain barrel program launches for LLWA members.
2024
Rain barrel program expands watershed-wide across Orono, Long Lake, and Medina.
2025
LLWA-sponsored carp fishing contest at Buckhorn Days — no carp were captured.
Today
Ongoing monitoring, AIS inspections, and community education continue year-round.
The Numbers Keep Growing
These figures are a snapshot — updated as we complete each season of monitoring and stewardship. If you'd like to help move the numbers further, become a member or join us at an upcoming event.
Awards & Recognition
Certificate of Appreciation — City of Long Lake, October 2018.
CITY OF LONG LAKE
Conservation Award / Certificate of Appreciation
Recognizing LLWA's advocacy, water-quality work, and stewardship of Long Lake and the Long Lake Subwatershed.
LAKE MINNETONKA GARDEN CLUB
Conservation Award
Honoring LLWA's ongoing conservation and community-education efforts across the watershed.