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Much of what you will find in this issue of Current Waters relates to our 3 top concerns: clean water, AIS, and the impacts of enhanced wakes. The news articles start with a snapshot of AIS infestations year-to-date (not good!) Then a couple of articles about enhanced wakes piggybacking on the recent release of the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory’s Phase 2 research. Some news stories follow that relate to clean water; specifically, that mercury levels are rising and there really is a downside to armoring your shore with riprap.
You will also find some terrific new sources of information for all waterfront property owners including a new series by Minnesota Public Radio, a terrific brochure on natural shorelines produced in Michigan (same issues as MN), and a well-written and easy to digest book about how “we are loving our lakes to death”. The last one isn’t new, but it’s now out in paperback. Pass those on and help everyone know how to be good stewards of the water.
Take 9 minutes and watch the new video that should convince you that water at least 20 feet deep is critical for wakesurfing.
We hope you find this issue informative and useful!
Thanks!
Joe Shneider
President, MN COLA
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News of interest
- AIS infestations climb in 2025
- Phase 2 research on wakes published
- MN COLA September meeting highlights
- Mercury rising … Part 2
- Riprap has its place, but less is better
- Boat wrap recycling stars now!
- MPR’s “Trouble by the water” series
- New natural shoreline guidelines published
- Ripple Effects, now in softcover
- Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership streamlines grant program
Upcoming events
- Chemical Contaminants in Lake Superior (October 7)
- 2025 AIS Research and Management Showcase (October 9)
- Harmful Algal Bloom Research in Northeast Minnesota (October 14)
- Smart maps, stronger conservation: Targeting land protection with GIS (October 25)
- Mystery Snail Impacts on Lake Ecosystems (November 6)
- Introduction to Lakes Online course (begins January 20, 2026)
Best we've seen
| | AIS infestations climb in 2025 | | |
As of September 24, 2025, new AIS infestations in Minnesota are 41% higher than in all of 2024.
Ringing the bell at 42 new infestations are our nasty friends, the zebra mussels. Eleven of these are in Hubbard County, more than doubling the county’s prior number of zebra mussel infestations.
Five new infestations of starry stonewort have also been found this year bringing our statewide total to 37. You may recall that starry stonewort was first discovered in Minnesota in 2015 at Lake Koronis. This is very troubling. The state is NOT keeping starry stonewort contained and we are still in the early stages of the typical infestation curve.
| | Phase 2 research on wakes published | | |
Released in late July, the Phase 2 wake research from the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory is deep, but the accompanying videos are crystal clear and staggering.
When coupled with their groundbreaking Phase 1 research on the power of the wakes, we now understand the two critical elements for protecting the water quality in our lakes and rivers... safe distances from shore and safe depths of water. And with this work, we better understand the different kinds of waves that are set up by boats in surfing mode (semi-displacement mode).
Here are links to the study, and the videos with underlying data.
| | MN COLA September meeting highlights | | |
Following Minnesota Public Radio’s special broadcast about enhanced wakes with Jeff Marr (St. Anthony Falls Laboratory) and Jeff Forester, MN COLA held a 1-hour membership meeting to talk more about the issue of enhanced wakes.
Chuck Becker, founding member of SafeWakes for Minnesota Lakes provided an overview of what is happening in the world of wakes in the last 6 months and what actions are being taken in other states.
Then Scott Rolfs, founding member of Lakes at Stake, a Wisconsin-based lobbying organization talked about the broad coalition of organizations they have pulled together to protect Wisconsin lakes from the economic, environmental, and safety threats of wake sports. There is a lesson for Minnesota to be learned from Lakes at Stake. We will be a stronger voice when more organizations are working together to protect our public waters and lake users from the impacts of enhanced wakes.
The minutes from the September meeting will be distributed soon.
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Photo credit: Derek Montgomery for MPR News
In our first issue of Current Waters in 2025, we highlighted research of higher mercury levels in fish from zebra mussel infested lakes. In this issue we are highlighting a news report from Minnesota Public Radio of mercury levels continuing to rise in northern Minnesota lakes, due to AIS, sulfate pollution, and climate changes. To keep you and your family safe, please be aware of the MN Department of Health recommendations regarding fish consumption because of mercury and PFAS.
| | Riprap has its place, but less is better | | |
Photo: Ben Hovland | MPR News
One of our MN COLA top issues is water quality and how the loss of natural shorelines over the decades is having a clear negative impact on the water. MN COLA is working with other organizations to get more people aware of these impacts and to arm them with resources and better solutions. One of old standby techniques to protect the shoreline that we see used all over the state is riprap. But generally speaking, riprap is the antithesis of a natural shoreline and should not be the go-to solution. That said, riprap can be an effective tool for stabilizing lakeshore when used judiciously, and typically in conjunction with other natural shoreline techniques.
Minnesota Public Radio’s Kirsti Marohn had a great program recently on the armoring of lakeshore with riprap. We recommend that you send this link out to your lake and river neighbors so that more people can understand the impacts of their shoreline protection choices.
| | Boat wrap recycling starts now! | | |
As you might imagine, the volume of one-time use plastics that are used to shrink wrap boats in Minnesota is staggering. But now there is new program to recycle your used boat wrap and keep it out of our landfills.
September 1, Minnesota began implementing the Wrap Recycle Right Program, the nation’s first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for boat wrap recycling. The program affects plastic suppliers, marinas and boat dealers, as well as the boaters themselves. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is overseeing the program.
Read on for more information.
| | MPR’s “Trouble by the water” series | | |
The name of this special MPR News series is telling: Trouble by the water: Minnesota's lakes under threat. Reporters Kirsti Marohn, Dan Kraker and Aly Clary shed light on the risks to Minnesota’s most treasured waters — and explore how we might protect them before it’s too late.
So far, they have tackled development impacts, water quality impacts from the loss of natural shorelines, options for reclaiming natural shorelines, impacts from wakesurfing, and mercury contamination. These are well-researched news reports and worth a read, or a listen, as most reports are available in audio format. Several of these reports are highlighted in this issue of Current Waters.
| New natural shoreline guidelines published | |
A new guide for natural shorelines has been produced by 3 organizations in Michigan, and it is all directly applicable for Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes. The guide is available for downloading and reprinting. It is well done, and every lakefront property owner should have a link to this material!
The guide provides insights on common challenges for shorelines, “bioengineering” approaches that can be used to address the challenges, 8 different case studies, and other reference materials.
| Ripple Effects, now in softcover | |
And for those of you who are into history, and for everyone else who owns waterfront property, or is planning to… here is a great read about how we’ve gotten to this point where we are “loving our “loving our lakes to death” to death”. Ted Rulseh hits on the key issues facing Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan lakes: clean water, AIS, and enhanced wakes. It’s been in print for a little over 2 years but is now available in paperback at a lower cost point.
You might consider making it required reading for your lake association Board of Directors. A volume discount for lake groups is available by contacting the author at thelakeguy.net. Or you can order it from your favorite bookseller.
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Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership
streamlines grant program
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The Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership has a grant program that may be of interest to your lake association. They typically fund 3-5 projects annually between $30,000 and $100,000, but larger projects will be considered. Projects should benefit glacial lake fish habitats that align with the goals and objectives of the MGLP strategic plan.
What’s new is that they have worked to reduce the time for their decision-making process, providing partners with a faster turnaround time on their grant applications. Their next grant cycle will start in August 2026 for funding starting in Summer of 2027.
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| Chemical Contaminants in Lake Superior (October 7) | | |
Photo: MN Sea Grant
Webinar attendees will learn the status and trends of toxic chemicals in Lake Superior and how Canada and the U.S. use key indicators to help assess the lake’s health. The webinar will also explore how PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” are transported through the atmosphere and deposited into the water. Also, learn how herring gull eggs have contributed to the understanding of chemical pollutants in the Lake Superior ecosystem.
This webinar is part of the Let’s Talk Lake Superior! webinar series hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Canada Water Agency.
This webinar is on October 7, 2025, at 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. CT. It is available at no cost and is recommended for anyone passionate about the Great Lakes. Registration is required.
Click here for more information
| | 2025 AIS Research and Management Showcase (October 9) | | |
The University of Minnesota AIS Research and Management Showcase is an annual event that highlights the latest MAISRC research, innovations, and strategies for managing aquatic invasive species in Minnesota. The one-day showcase provides a platform for scientists, natural resource managers, and the public to learn about cutting-edge research, engage in discussions, and collaborate on efforts to prevent and control AIS. Attendees can participate in presentations, demonstrations, and tour MAISRC's containment lab to see some research projects up close.
Click here for more information including the agenda and presentations.
Registration is required. There is a $50 fee for the Showcase, but discount codes are available on the registration page. The event is 7:45am - 5:00pm CT.
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Harmful Algal Bloom Research
in Northeast Minnesota (October 14)
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Harmful algal blooms are becoming more common across northeastern Minnesota, showing up in waters from remote inland lakes to the vast expanse of Lake Superior. Some produce toxins that can be dangerous to people, pets, and wildlife. Researchers across the region are working to understand better where and why HABs occur and what that might mean for Minnesota waters and communities. Topics include: HABs in northern lakes, HABs in Lake Superior, and Community science for clean water.
This webinar is part of the Twin Ports Climate Conversation series hosted by Minnesota Sea Grant.
This webinar is on October 14, 2025, at 12:00 - 1:00 pm CT. It is available at no cost. Registration is required.
Click here for more information
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Smart maps, stronger conservation:
Targeting land protection with GIS (October 25)
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The Northern Waters Land Trust will be presenting on their project, which developed an interactive GIS mapping tool to identify and prioritize land protection projects within the watersheds of Lakes of Outstanding Biological Significance (LOBS). Each parcel within these sensitive watersheds was systematically scored to determine conservation priority.
This webinar is part of the Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership Lake Conservation webinar series. Paul Radomski, Mitch Brinks, Annie Knight and Ally Mazurek will be presenting.
This webinar is on October 21, 2025, at 1 pm CT. It is available at no cost. Registration is required.
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Mystery Snail Impacts on
Lake Ecosystems (November 6)
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Sometimes the smallest organisms can have surprising impacts. This presentation will focus on invasive mystery snail impacts to continental North America and will include information on three invasive mystery snails: Chinese mystery snails, Japanese mystery snails, and banded mystery snails. This event will also explore potential mechanisms for continued mystery snail dispersal and what can be done to stop the spread.
This webinar is part of the Itasca Water Wisdom online webinar series, co-sponsored by Minnesota Sea Grant.
This webinar is on November 6, 2025, at 12 - 1 pm CT. It is available at no cost. Registration is required.
Click here for more information
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Introduction to Lakes Online course
(begins January 20, 2026)
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Registration for the award-winning Michigan State University Extension Introduction to Lakes Online course is now open! MN COLA’s Jim Kutzner took this on-line course 4 years ago and thought it was highly valuable and completely relevant to Minnesota Lakes.
This six-week online course kicks off January 20th and is designed for anyone interested in inland lakes including concerned residents, decision makers, local leaders, and lakefront property owners. Course instructors include faculty from MSU Extension and state agency personnel.
Course topics include lake ecology, watershed management, shoreline protection, aquatic plants, Michigan water law, and community engagement. These six topics are explored online through video lectures, interactive activities, and discussion forums. Additional resources are also provided for those looking to dive deeper into a topic. Participants communicate with each other and instructors through lively discussion forums and biweekly Ask-an-Expert webinars which include guests from organizations such as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
Registration is open now through January 27, 2026, at 5 pm ET. The cost of the course is $115 per person. An early-bird rate of $95 is available if you register by January 5, 2026.
Click here for more information
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The newest wake research from the U of MN says that wake sports in water less than 20 feet deep can cause enormous damage to aquatic ecosystems (see news article on Phase 2 above). At the same time, the watersports industry would have you believe that engaging in wake sports in water as shallow as 10 ft constitutes responsible boating.
This new video describes some of the research explaining the problem and proposes how research independent of the wake boat industry can inform decisions regarding the management of public water bodies. It’s worth 9 minutes of your time.
The video’s producer thanks the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory of the University of Minnesota, Terra Vigilis Environmental Services, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for making their materials available
| | MN COLA Board of Directors | | | | |
