East Side Lake is a 40 acres (16.19 ha) reservoir in Austin, Minnesota in western Mower County,[1] which is in the southeast part of the state. It is one of two man-made lakes in Mower County (the other is Lake Louise), which is one of only four counties in Minnesota without a natural lake. The majority of the lake is only 5–6 feet deep.

East Side Lake
In winter. Picture taken from the Oakland Avenue bridge over Dobbins Creek looking north-northeast.
Location of East Side Lake in Minnesota, USA.
Location of East Side Lake in Minnesota, USA.
East Side Lake
Location of East Side Lake in Minnesota, USA.
Location of East Side Lake in Minnesota, USA.
East Side Lake
LocationAustin, Minnesota
Coordinates43°40′16″N 092°57′10″W / 43.67111°N 92.95278°W / 43.67111; -92.95278
Typereservoir
Primary inflowsDobbins Creek
Primary outflowsDobbins Creek
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area40 acres (16 ha)

Dobbins Creek

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The lake's only tributary and only outflow is Dobbins Creek, which starts in Red Rock Township and flows through Nicolville.

[2] For decades, untreated sewage (including feces) from the unincorporated community of Nicolville was dumped into Dobbins Creek approximately three miles (5 km) upstream from East Side Lake. Fecal bacteria were measured at up to 11 times the level allowed in surface water by state law. The town installed a sewage treatment system in 2010.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2012-07-12. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  2. ^ "Sewage problems persist amid lax enforcement". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on 2006-07-13. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  3. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-04-06. Retrieved 2016-03-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)