Replacing the water control structure and dredging the public water access planned for 2026 and 2027
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will move forward with a plan to replace Lake Alice’s 1960s-era water control structure at William O’Brien State Park.
The structure manages water levels within the artificial impoundment, regulating the release of water from Lake Alice to the St. Croix River. A damaged valve in the structure caused a drawdown of the lake in August 2025. Since then, the DNR has been analyzing options and developing a project plan.
“We determined a total replacement is the most cost-effective, sustainable and long-term solution for the maintaining the park’s natural resources and recreation opportunities,” said Laurel Quill, DNR Central Region Parks and Trails manager.
The estimated $325,000 project also includes dredging the St. Croix River at the state park’s public water access to remove sediment deposited around the access during the drawdown.
The project’s estimated timeline is:
- Winter 2026: Project design
- Summer 2026: Permit applications, land and archeological surveys, and other natural resource work field work
- Spring 2027: Water control structure construction and public water access dredging begin
- Fall 2027: Project completion
Public recreation on Lake Alice will not be available until the project is completed.
The park’s public water access to the river at the Walter F. Mondale Day-use Area will be open, as water levels allow, throughout 2026. Visitors should check the William O'Brien State Park page for updates before going to the park.
“We’re thankful for the public’s continued patience as we tackle this challenge,” Quill said. “We look forward to welcoming visitors back to a Lake Alice that has a modernized infrastructure that makes the lake more resilient for the future.”
The DNR will share ongoing project updates on the DNR’s Lake Alice construction webpage.
About William O’ Brien State Park
Established in 1947, William O'Brien State Park provides a beautiful setting for recreation along the St. Croix River and close to the Twin Cities. The state park protects prairie, oak savanna, river floodplain and hardwood forest across its more than 1,800 acres.