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News:
- Message to Subscribers
- Update on High-Water Project and Status
- AIS Update
- LID Schedule
- Other LID Updates
- Message from the LID Board
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News from the Board of the
Lake Shamineau Lake Improvement District
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As a subscriber, you are receiving an edition of the Electronic Newsletter for the Lake Shamineau Lake Improvement District (LSLID). The LSLID Board of Directors issues a periodic newsletter to provide updates on LSLID activities. Check out our website for detailed information, announcements and documents.
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Message to Subscribers
To Lake Shamineau Property Owners, Neighbors and Friends:
We hope this newsletter finds you looking forward to enjoying spring and summer around the lake. See below for an update on the high-water project as well as information on AIS, the LID Schedule, and other relevant topics. Please also mark your calendars for the Annual Meeting that will be held on August 29, 2026 (more information below).
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Update on High-Water
Outlet Project
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High-Water Project
Background
To complete the High-Water project, pipe has been installed, and ditches were graded and seeded along the route from the west end of the lake to Ditch 41. This route will allow the water to flow to the Long Prairie River. The pipe work included installing a gravity flow pipe and manholes along Pulaski Road. In addition, the pipe was bored south along the east side of Highway 10, under Co Rd 203, and then west under Highway 10. The contractor constructed a cofferdam at the inlet area of the lake to allow for dewatering and the installation of the intake structure. Work continued with building of the pump house, the installation and testing of the pump, and the completion of electrical work.
Pipe Repair:
Unfortunately, after a period of heavy rain, an issue was discovered with a portion (approximately 60 feet) of the gravity pipe on the west side of Highway 10. The LID has been working with the contractor and engineer to determine a plan and timeline to resolve the issue which will require repair of the piping by the contractor to ensure that water will flow appropriately through the route.
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Update on High-Water
Outlet Project
Current Status
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The LID has halted payments to the contractor; and the work completed in the piping area is under review.
- A conflict counsel attorney was hired to assist with the analysis and resolution of the construction issues, and to negotiate with the parties.
- The LID continues to work with legal counsel to settle the issue with both Houston and Landwehr.
- A design engineer firm, Bolten and Menk, has been hired to provide a design for the required repairs.
- Once the design is completed, a plan and timeline can be determined to complete the work to resolve the pipe issue. Pumping will begin thereafter.
- As reported previously, the DNR is providing a Grant for the project of up to $3 Mill. The LID has been requesting, and has received, reimbursement for 50% of the construction costs through this Grant.
- Temporary financing has been acquired through Ehlers Investment Partners. DNR reimbursement will be used to reduce the assessment and charge amounts for the property owners. Final bonding will occur with notice provided to Property Owners of the charge and assessment amount for their property. The property owners will have the ability to finance the amount due for an estimated 7 - 10 years.
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Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Update
The LID has received notice of approval of the 2026 for an AIS grant from Morrison County in the amount of $15,500 (an increase of $2,778) for the following AIS activities:
- Vegetation Surveys $4,000
- Update AIS Access Signs – $500
- Ambassadors Training & Coverage of both Accesses - $10,000
- Herbicide treatments and Hand Harvesting - $1,000
With the anticipated grant and 2026 budget funding, the Ambassador program is planned to continue with ambassadors at both the East and West landings on the weekends and holidays. The LID would like to extend thanks to the Ambassadors for their work. When visiting the landings, we ask that boaters be courteous and respectful to the ambassadors as they conduct their surveys and do their work.
The AIS surveys and treatments plans will be conducted as in previous years and will include a treatment for Curly Leaf Pondweed. An announcement regarding the treatments is on the website.
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Lake Improvement District (LID) Schedule
LID meetings and activities coming up over the next several months include:
- The Spring LID Board meeting will be held on Monday, May 12, 2026, at 9:30 AM. The Board meeting will be held online. In addition, the Scandia Valley Town Hall will be available to view the meeting and Board members will be in attendance. An announcement and agenda for the Board Meeting is posted on the LID website.
- In July, a letter will be mailed to property owners advising them that nominations are open for Director seats and announcing the Annual Meeting.
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Several weeks prior to the Annual Meeting, there will be a mailing sent to property owners from Survey and Ballot Systems, that will include Voting Instructions and a Voting Ballot, the Candidate Information Sheet, the 2027 Budget Sheet, a letter from the LSLID Board of Directors, and a return envelope. The letter will include an announcement of the Annual Meeting and include an agenda.
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The Annual Meeting will be held on August 29, 2026. The Annual meeting will be held online. The Scandia Valley Town Hall will be available to view the meeting and Board members will be in attendance.
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Recommended
Wake Surf Area for Lake Shamineau
The University of Minnesota recently published a study that found reason to be concerned that wake surfing in too-shallow depths can harm a lake’s water quality. The research concluded that in shallow depths, the forces created by wake boats operating in surfing mode, stir up sediment from the lake bottom causing the water to become cloudy and preventing sunlight from penetrating. This potentially affects both fish and plants, and the sediment, which contains phosphorus, can also cause algae blooms.
The report recommends that while operating in surfing mode, boats should stay in at least 20 feet of water and 500 feet from shore. The Lake Improvement District recommends that this guideline is followed on Lake Shamineau. Above is a map outlining the recommended wake surfing area. The map will also be posted at the landings on the lake.
Depth recommendations should also be considered when operating personal watercraft. According to the DNR, personal watercraft (e.g. Jet skis) must stay at least 150 feet from shore, and if they are engaged in an activity that creates artificially enhanced wakes or are doing vertical maneuvers, a greater distance is necessary.
Link to U of M study:
U of M research
Link to DNR’s “Own Your Wake”: DNR own your wake
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Settling Test Plates
Possible infestations of Zebra Mussels can be monitored with a tool called settling plates (example pictured above), where zebra mussels may attach once past their larva stage. Routine visual checks of these settling plates by volunteers will allow quick detection of any new zebra mussel infestation.
These settling plates can be easily constructed and deployed by anyone with access to a dock or other structure that can be utilized for tying the settling plate to.
LID Board members have assembled the settling plates for deployment at various locations in the lake in early May. If you would like to volunteer to have a settling plate deployed on your property, send an email to LSLIDBD@gmail.com or call Patricia Tvedt at 651-402-3290.
The settling plates will need to be inspected every month for any potential zebra mussel attachment, and removed from the lake in October. Everyone is also advised to check your dock for zebra mussels. See Settling Plates Document for more info.
Want to Learn More about Loons?
You may want to visit the National Loon Center in Crosslake (35507 County Road 66) to learn more about loons. The National Loon Center also offers free loon pontoon tours that takes passengers on guided tours to watch, learn about, and float among the loons for an educational up-north experience. A naturalist is on board to answer all of your loon-related questions and share lessons for all ages about a loon’s behavior, habitat, and conservation needs.
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The LID Board of Directors includes the following officers:
Chair: Rick Rosar
Vice-Chair: Bob Ingle
Treasurer: Fred Comb
Secretary: Pat Tvedt
Director: Duane Hendricks
We will continue to keep you up to date with postings to the website, newsletters, and letters to property owners. If you know of someone that would like to be added to our newsletter subscriber list, have them send an email to LSLIDBD@gmail.com. You may want to add this email address to your white list to ensure that you will receive future newsletters.
Thank you for your support,
Rick Rosar, Bob Ingle, Fred Comb, Patricia Tvedt, and Duane Hendricks
Lake Shamineau Improvement District Board of Directors
Cindy Kevern
LSLID Administrator and Newsletter Editor
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Lake Shamineau Lake Improvement District (LSLID)
P.O. Box 394, Motley, MN 56466
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