Minnesota Alice Lake Nearly Drained by Valve Malfunction, Officials Working on Restoration

Alice Lake in William O'Brien State Park near the Twin Cities, typically 9 feet deep and spanning 26 acres, was accidentally drained due to a mechanical failure in its 65-year-old water control valve. After heavy rains caused flooding and overflow into the St. Croix River, officials opened the valve to release excess water, but the mechanism to close it malfunctioned, leaving the valve stuck open and draining nearly the entire lake. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources staff are currently repairing the valve, and it is expected to take about a month for the lake to naturally refill through streams once the valve is closed. The draining caused a significant fish kill, devastating local residents who witnessed dead fish along the now dry lakebed, including species like carp, northern pike, bluegills, largemouth bass, and walleyes. Recreation activities such as swimming are currently affected, and officials warn the lake will likely be unusable for at least four to six weeks. Local residents and officials alike expressed shock at the incident, and efforts are ongoing to restore the lake to its former condition.