Lake Minnetonka Today 7/24/25
Top Lake Minnetonka–area news highlights
Here are the top Lake Minnetonka–area news highlights for July 24, 2025:
🏞️ Local Environment & Recreation
1. Aquatic plant treatment stirring debate
The Lake Minnetonka Association continues treating 10 bays (including Harrison Bay) for invasive species—curlyleaf pondweed and Eurasian watermilfoil—through chemical applications running April to September 2025. Some residents and guides claim these treatments are harming native plants and fish habitats and are calling for a pause. The Minnesota DNR, however, stands by the permits and asserts there's no evidence of harm to fish populations.
2. Beach water quality concerns
Due to elevated E. coli and algae levels, several beaches on Lake Minnetonka have been closed or flagged under advisory, including:
Wayzata Beach
Excelsior Playground Beach
Surfside Park Beach
This follows a county-wide spike in bacteria found across Hennepin County waterways.
🎉 Events Happening Thursday, July 24
Let Her Rip Women’s Surf & Wakeboard
Empowering women’s event held today at Shoreline Hotel, Spring Park. Provides coaching and on-water experience in wakesurfing/wakeboarding.
Excelsior Chamber Girls’ Night Out & StoryTime Trolley
Downtown Excelsior is hosting Girls’ Night Out (3–7 PM), with in-store specials.
Also running today: Excelsior Streetcar Line StoryTime Trolley (theme: "Cars & Planes & Things That Go") from 5–7 PM, complete with treats and trolley ride!
Beach Yoga at Excelsior Beach
A calming outdoor yoga session from 6–6:45 PM right on the sand.
Paddle Board Yoga on Lake Minnetonka
Beginner-friendly paddleboard yoga class on Lake Minnetonka from 7–8 PM, led by YogaSix and Wai Nani.
📅 Upcoming on the Calendar
Public hearing in August on formation of Harrison Bay’s lake improvement district—aimed at funding aquatic plant treatments via local levy.
Classic summer events (Minnetonka Summer Fest, Spirit of the Lakes) concluded earlier this month, but the local events calendar remains busy.
🔍 Overview: What This Means for You
For lake-goers: Be cautious—bring your own water, avoid swimming in closed areas, and keep an eye on advisories before heading to the beach.
Community discussions: The balance between invasive species control and ecological health is stirring local debate, with more public input expected.
Plenty to do today!: From watersports to yoga to trolley rides, there’s a lot going on for all ages around the lake.
