Lake Owasso Association

Founded in 1941

Turtle

  • Lake ID: 62005600
  • County: Ramsey
  • Lake Owasso covers approximately 383 acres
    • Littoral Area: 292.9 acres
    • Shore Length: 5.65 miles
    • Mean Depth: 11.2 feet
    • Maximum Depth: 37 feet
  • The watershed associated with drainage into Lake Owasso covers about 3400 acres. This represents about a 9 to 1 ratio of watershed to lake surface area.  Activity in the surrounding 3400 acres has highly significant impact on the water quality of Lake Owasso.
  • Lake Owasso straddles the City of Roseville and the City of Shoreview
  • The Grass Lake Watershed Management Organization (GLWMO) was created to deal with issues related to the surrounding watershed. In 2013 the GLWMO was disbanded where the region administered by the GLWMO was added to neighboring Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD).  Unlike the GLWMO the RWMWD has taxing authority for the area it covers.
  • The southwest section of the lake was dredged in 1967 to remove sediment build-up associated with inflow from Central Park
  • Water outflows from Lake Owasso underneath North Owasso Blvd to Lake Wabasso.
  • Lake Wabasso drains into Snail Lake Park
  • Two deep water wells were operated from about 1931 through about 1988 to regulate water levels in Lake Owasso.
  • There are approximately 240 residences with frontage on Lake Owasso
  • On Wednesday evenings throughout the summer, the Courage Center operates an adaptive water-ski program for disabled individuals. Various lake residents participate among other volunteers to carry-out the program.
  • During the 1926-1931 drought, the existence of a leak in the center of the lake was verified where water flows out into a nearby aquifer.
  • During the 1920’s the See-Me Bathing Club operated near the outlet to Lake Wabasso.
  • During the 1930’s the Hawaiian Night Club operated at the sight of the previous See-Me Bathing Club.
  • Decades ago (prior to widespread refrigeration) 500 lb ice blocks were harvested from Lake Owasso via the “Peoples Ice and Coal Company” via  a 5-story building which resided on East Owasso Lane
  • Starting around 1915 a Children’s Tuberculosis Preventorium was operated on the East Shore of Lake Owasso.
  • During the 1970’s a previous MN Governor resided on Lake Owasso. The same home still stands today occupied by another family but often still referred to by locals as “the old Governor’s mansion”.
  • The highest recorded water level was 888.8′ above sea level posted in 1952. The lowest recorded water level was 883′ in 1926, a remarkable variance of 5.8 feet!
  • Since 1950 the earliest ice-out date was March 9, recorded in 1987 and again in 2000.
  • Since 1950 the latest ice out date was April 30, recorded in 2017
  • Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) was discovered on Lake Owasso in June of 2000.
  • The inlet to Lady Slipper Park (at the SE section of the lake) was narrowed in 1906 to enable passage of a rail line.