Snelling Lake

Ecosystem Overview

The Snelling Lake ecosystem supports 64 documented wildlife species across 56 taxonomic genera. Located in Hennepin County, Minnesota, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 13 frequently observed species and 12 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Edina nearby has 36% more documented species, Snelling Lake offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #15 for species diversity among 85 Hennepin County County natural areas, placing it in the 82th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#15

Regional Rank

Out of 85 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common13 species

Common20 species

Occasional19 species

Rare12 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#15 of 85 locations

82th percentile for diversity

vs. Edina

-36% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 64 total documented species.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Very Common17 obs.

Cygnus buccinator

trumpeter swan

Very Common10 obs.

Aythya collaris

Ring-necked Duck

Very Common9 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Very Common9 obs.

Mergus merganser

goosander

Very Common8 obs.

Ondatra zibethicus

Muskrat

Common6 obs.

Spatula clypeata

Northern Shoveler

Common6 obs.

Gavia immer

great northern loon

Common6 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common6 obs.

Castor canadensis

Canadian beaver

Common5 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Common5 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Occasional5 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Occasional4 obs.

Ceratophyllum demersum

rigid hornwort

Occasional4 obs.

Lophodytes cucullatus

Hooded Merganser

Occasional4 obs.

Elophila gyralis

Occasional3 obs.

Larus smithsonianus

American Herring Gull

Occasional3 obs.

Bucephala clangula

common goldeneye

Rare3 obs.

Aythya americana

Redhead

Rare3 obs.

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed grebe

Rare3 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Snelling Lake. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-28%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Hennepin County County, Minnesota

Nearby Natural Areas

Edina

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-36% vs. current

Hennepin County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-36% vs. current

St. Louis Park

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-36% vs. current

Plymouth

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-36% vs. current

Brooklyn Park

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-36% vs. current

Richfield

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-36% vs. current

Maple Grove

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-36% vs. current

Robbinsdale

Importance: 0.42

8 species

+700% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Hennepin County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-28%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Hennepin County County, Minnesota

Nearby Natural Areas

Edina

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-36% vs. current

Hennepin County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-36% vs. current

St. Louis Park

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-36% vs. current

Plymouth

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-36% vs. current

Brooklyn Park

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-36% vs. current

Richfield

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-36% vs. current

Maple Grove

Importance: 0.42

100 species

-36% vs. current

Robbinsdale

Importance: 0.42

8 species

+700% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#15

Regional Rank

Out of 85 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common13 species

Common20 species

Occasional19 species

Rare12 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#15 of 85 locations

82th percentile for diversity

vs. Edina

-36% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 64 total documented species.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Very Common17 obs.

Cygnus buccinator

trumpeter swan

Very Common10 obs.

Aythya collaris

Ring-necked Duck

Very Common9 obs.

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

Very Common9 obs.

Mergus merganser

goosander

Very Common8 obs.

Ondatra zibethicus

Muskrat

Common6 obs.

Spatula clypeata

Northern Shoveler

Common6 obs.

Gavia immer

great northern loon

Common6 obs.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Common6 obs.

Castor canadensis

Canadian beaver

Common5 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Common5 obs.

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

Occasional5 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Occasional4 obs.

Ceratophyllum demersum

rigid hornwort

Occasional4 obs.

Lophodytes cucullatus

Hooded Merganser

Occasional4 obs.

Elophila gyralis

Occasional3 obs.

Larus smithsonianus

American Herring Gull

Occasional3 obs.

Bucephala clangula

common goldeneye

Rare3 obs.

Aythya americana

Redhead

Rare3 obs.

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed grebe

Rare3 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 64 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.