Historical Use and Misuse of Trout Lake
For many years Trout Lake was environmentally mistreated, its water quality was poor and the lake polluted. Iron ore tailings, raw sewage and contaminated run-off were discharged into the lake. It turned a once clear beautiful, geologically young lake into an aged eutrophic lake. The water and lake sediment were frequently red from the ore tailings. A high level of nutrients was causing excessive vegetative growth and algae blooms. The water was unsightly and a serious health problem as well as being harmful to the fishery. Huge mats of filamentous algae could be seen floating throughout the lake during the summer months. Bays became choked with algae and the swimming beaches were closed. In 1990, it was the most polluted of 49 major Itasca County recreational lakes with a phosphorus level of 44 ppb (parts per billion). Major fish kills, because of depleted oxygen, occurred in 1969, 1971, 1973, 1988 and the last one in 1989.
In 1987 a new waste treatment plant went into operation and it began to discharge clean effluent into the Swan River. A public education campaign, largely by the Trout Lake Association, cautioned residents in the watershed area about the harmful effects of phosphorus, erosion and storm run-off. In 1994 the PCA instructed the City of Coleraine to detect, sample and report all sanitary sewer discharges into the lake. It was also instructed to develop a plan to control/eliminate all discharges. In 1995 the City of Coleraine passed an ordinance requiring all businesses and residents to remove all sump pumps and other water discharges from connections to the sanitary sewer system.
Trout Lake with filamentous algae A much cleaner Trout Lake
The lake has responded well to ELC (environmental loving care). Only several minor sanitary sewer overflows have occurred since 1995 and large floating algae mats have not been seen for several years. Bi-annual water testing shows the nutrient levels have dropped, more dissolved oxygen is observed and Secchi readings have improved. Lakeshore property has greatly increased in value in the past several years. However, preventing excessive nutrient run-off into the lake is still a priority.
Editor's Additions:
Uses
The first survey, by T.B.Walker, noted "Indians farming" at the location of the Rydberg farm; also "Indian Trails" headed northeast from the Mississppi River, then east along the north side of Mud Lake [a great wild rice lake], then north to a landing on the south east end of Trout Lake. Mr. Swan Rydberg (oral interview of his daughter, Clara Clune, at Iron World) also used the trail in later years (1894) backpacking groceries from Grand Rapids, and then boating across Trout Lake to his home.
The north end of Trout Lake has a golf course; see Eagle Ridge Golf Course.
Misuses
.