Mill Pond

Lake Description & Overview

Mill Pond is a shallow natural environment lake. Technically, Mill is a reservoir because of a downstream dam (Bucks Mill Dam) which maintains the water level about 6 feet above the natural lake elevation. The east half of the lake is densely vegetated except for the channel where the Pelican River flows through. The west basin contains open water and reaches a maximum depth of 10 feet.

Mill has no designated boat ramp, but the lake can be accessed via Lake Melissa with canoes, kayaks, or small watercraft. There are some single family homes, primarily in the west basin.

Historically, a dam located downstream from where the current dam exists, was used to provide water power for the adjacent mill. This dam has been removed, however, the original dam embankments where the water wheel would have been, remain intact. The current dam sits approximately 100 feet upstream from the historic location and is used to control water levels on Mill Pond, which is used as a MN DNR rearing pond.

In 2019, Becker County and the MN DNR began discussions of possibly removing the outlet structure and replacing it with a rock weir rapids. The District is concerned the removal of the dam will allow for passage of common carp, which are a nuisance species and will cause ecological harm.

Water quality was monitored for a three-year period from 2007-2009, with total phosphorus levels at 20ppm and water clarity at 7.5 ft. The nutrient levels were found to be very similar to Lake Mellissa, which drains through Mill Pond.

Due to its connection to Lake Melissa, the lake is also infested with Zebra Mussels and Flowering Rush. In past years, the Pelican Group of Lakes Improvement District (PGLID) has managed Flowering Rush in Mill Lake by chemical and hand removal in an attempt to minimize propagation to downstream lakes (Pelican Lake).