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Drawdown plan for Lake Mallalieu prompts divided comments; committee seeks more technical and municipal input
Summary
Public speakers and conservation groups debated a proposed 7.5‑foot drawdown of Lake Mallalieu; speakers warned of phosphorus export to the St. Croix River and harm to endangered mussel beds, while the Lake Association said DNR‑led review and engineering would guide the process. The committee asked staff to gather more municipal and technical information.
During the public comment period and agenda item on the Lake Mallalieu drawdown, speakers presented contrasting technical views. Everett 'Bud' Faulks argued the drawdown was "a dubious proposal" that could flush thousands of pounds of phosphorus downstream and promote toxic algal blooms. Jeff Lavers, president of the Lake Mallalieu Association, described the association’s engineering work and said the DNR requested municipal signatures to start the public‑comment process for a drawdown.
Wild Rivers Conservancy Executive Director Matt Poppleton urged the committee to decline the request, presenting an analysis that estimated the drawdown could release between 21,000 and nearly 48,000 pounds of phosphorus over eight months and risk harm to endangered mussel habitat in the St. Croix. County staff summarized consultant estimates that sediment mobilized could range from 9,500 to 24,500 cubic yards, producing between roughly 5,500 and 14,280 pounds of phosphorus to Lake Saint Croix. Committee members requested additional municipal and DNR monitoring input before acting.
