Local watershed districts are holding a special event next week on Minnesota's shallow lakes, which make up about a third of the state's more than 11,000 lakes.

"The Benefits of Being Shallow" will take place from 8 to 11:30 a.m. April 12 in the Snyder Auditorium at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen. The Minnehaha Creek, Nine Mile Creek and Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed Districts are putting it on, as well as Carver County, Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organizations and Eden Prairie and Minnetonka.

It's meant to educate the public on the importance of shallow lakes, which average 15 feet or less in depth, to fishing, recreation and habitat. It costs $10 to attend the forum. To register or for more information, go to www.minnehahacreek.org/shallow-lakes.

KELLY SMITH Twitter: @kellystrib