Lake Facts

Mill Pond
DNR ID/ Becker No MN 03-377-00/377
Township(s) Lake View
Lake Classification Natural Environment
Ordinary High-Waterline (OHW) (NGVD29)
Size 185.6 Acres
Maximum Depth 10 ft.

Watershed Area 481 Acres
Impairment Listings None listed
Common Fish Species Black Crappie, Bluegill, Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye
Invasive Species Flowering Rush, Zebra Mussels
Public Access/Beaches none
Land Use 29.4% Open Water
15.4% Developed
2.0% Wetlands
14.6% Cultivated Crops
23.0% Forest
27.9% Grassland

Map

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).

Water Quality

Mill Pond

Learn More

DNR Lakefinder
Get information on water levels, fish stocking, and water clarity for Mill Pond.

MPCA Surface Water Data
Find historical lake and stream water quality data for Mill Pond.

Becker County Coalition of Lake Associations

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Goals

Short Term Goals – Year 2025

  • Maintain a 5-year mean summer phosphorus concentration at or below 20 μg/L ± 4%
  • Maintain mean summer Secchi depth no less than 5 ft

Long Range Goals – Year 2035

  • Maintain a 5-year mean summer phosphorus concentration at or below 20 μg/L ± 4%
  • Maintain mean summer Secchi depth no less than 5 ft

Studies & Surveys

Future Surveys as part of 2020-2030 Monitoring Plan

Water Quality- 2023 & 2028

Vegetation Survey – 2022 & 2027

Past Surveys

Water Quality – 2007-2009

Shoreline Survey – 2011

For more studies and surveys, see the Detroit-Rice Water Management Area.