Fountain Lake Ecological Health Restoration

Fountain Lake, a vital community asset in Albert Lea, Minnesota faced declining water and ecological challenges that led to its inclusion in the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Impaired Waters List. To support the lake’s long-term health, the Shell Rock River Watershed District initiated a multi-phase restoration effort in 2013. The effort began with a comprehensive dredging and water quality improvement project. The work focused on removing accumulated sediment to reduce internal lake phosphorus loading. Two of the three main bays were dredged from 2017 to 2021. Due to funding and regulatory constraints, dredging of the third bay was delayed until 2026. ISG provided environmental review, extensive agency coordination and permitting, and construction-phase support to ensure improvements align with the SRRWD's goals.

After dredging was completed on the first two bays, ISG co-designed aquatic life habitat enhancements to strengthen native fish populations. Habitat restoration included working closely with local, state, and federal agencies to implement shoreline stabilization measures and fish habitat improvements designed to encourage aquatic vegetation, enhance ecological function, and advance Minnesota DNR fisheries goals. Together, these efforts represent a coordinated approach to restoring Fountain Lake's ecological health and preserving this important community resource for future generations.

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