Thompson Lake is a highlight of Thompson County Park. But for the last few years, stormwater has carried pollutants into the lake. Studies of the sediment in Thompson Lake identified contamination with chemicals from now-banned asphalt driveway sealant products, chloride (from road salt) and petroleum products. The sediments exceed state requirements for some chemicals and may have acute and chronic impacts to humans and sediment-dwelling organisms.

Dakota County is leading a project to clean up the lake, so it will be a better place to fish and explore other recreational activities, like canoeing. The $2 million project is funded by the City of West St. Paul, the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization and Dakota County. The County is putting $1.3 million into removing contaminated sediments and investing in the lake’s future protection with a stormwater management project that will clean water before it enters the lake.

Engineers will start the project by October 2018 and complete it by spring 2019.

For more information, see the Thompson Lake Restoration Story Map.

Project completion celebration

Join us to celebrate the completion of the Thompson Lake restoration on Sunday, June 9, 2:30-3 p.m. as part of the annual Take A Kid Fishing event.  There will be a short presentation and remarks by community leaders, followed by a “confetti” toss of native seed balls and seed dispersal in the restored project area.

North Shelter not available to rent during construction

The North Shelter is not available to rent between Oct. 1, 2018 and May 31, 2019, to allow crews to work. However, the restrooms in the North Shelter will be kept open. Work crews plan to use up to half of the North Shelter parking lot for staging equipment.

Trail closures starting October 2018

Trails around Thompson Lake will be closed during the restoration project starting October 2018. See a trail closure map.