Newsletter September 2022

September 2022

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In this issue:

What's New at MN COLA?

News:

MI Report: wake boat concerns
Wake and prop thrust: impact on ecology
MGLP provides fish conservation grants
ZM control: Copper treatment
Fight climate change: talk about it
Knots every boat owner should know
MN COLA September meeting

Best We've Seen

Boat wakes on the Spokane River

Commentary

Bogs Elicit Different Perspectives

Featured Posts from www.lakeadmin.org

What's new at MN COLA?

Lots of activity going on with all the lakes, water down, fishing activity up, recreation is up, weather some good and some bad, and DNR action and activity transparent. Was called to my attention by the editor of our local press that in the latest DNR announcement the state fair activities took first article and the announcement that two more lakes, in Cass and Beltrami Counties, were infested with Starry Stonewort was listed last out of six articles. Infestation running rampant because what is being done doesn’t work, but we can all go to the state fair for new entertainment from DNR. I hadn’t noticed and find it most interesting that the editor did.

Kevin Farnum, MN COLA Vice President

Michigan DNR report:

Wake boat concerns and recommendations

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division, on September 14, 2022 issued Report 37, “Wake boats: concerns and recommendations related to natural resource management in Michigan waters”.

New research compiled in the report shows that operation of wake boats can potentially threaten lake health. Several recent studies show that wake boats can produce waves of 1.7 to 17 times the energy of those created by other comparably sized power boats, and these generated waves take much longer to decrease in size, too – between 225 feet to 900 feet from the boat. These larger waves can damage property and cause shoreline erosion, decrease water clarity and plant abundance, and add excess nutrients that contribute to poor water quality.

MI DNR Fisheries Report 37

Healthy waters initiative update - study of wake and prop thrust impacts on lake ecology

If we hope to find ways to mitigate emerging threats to our lakes, we must begin by getting the best science. MLR is proud to support the Healthy Waters Initiative at St. Anthony Falls Fluid Dynamics Lab as they investigate boat wake and prop wash dynamics, and the impacts on lake ecology.

With the new larger and more powerful boats on the market, like wake surfing watercraft, finding reliable answers to these questions is critical.

UMN Phase II Crowd Funding Donation Site

Minnesota Lakes & Rivers Advocates

Email to: Jeff Forester, Executive Director

MGLP provides $324,238 in grants

to conserve fish habitat in lakes

The Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership (MGLP) is awarding $324,238 through its 2022 Lake Conservation Grant to five projects across the Upper Midwest. Together, these projects will benefit glacial lakes and their fish habitats, fish populations, and fisheries for years to come. Funds for the Lake Conservation Grant are provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and will be matched by over $1,597,000 in contributions from partners, for a total conservation impact of over $1,921,000

Zebra Mussel Veligers

Copper treatment shows promise to

control zebra mussel density in lakes

The most cost effective strategy to deal with AIS is to prevent them from spreading. This is the only solution that is 100% effective.

But while prevention strategies are being deployed, lake associations benefit both in terms of cost savings and good outcomes if they also focus on early detection and making a strategy for a response should prevention efforts fail. Justin Townsend, AIS Coordinator in Ramsey County has created a strategic and deliberate plan, the New Infestation Response Plan, NIRP.

Management of zebra mussels is complicated. There are not ready bio-solutions like introducing a predator that feeds on zebra mussels, and these strategies often create other problems. There is no way to mechanically remove them at scale. Any chemical treatment would have to be safe for all native mussels and creatures. But the biggest challenge is that when chemicals are put into a waterbody to kill mussels, they “clam up.” Zebra mussels can stay closed for hours, so it is nearly impossible to keep chemical concentrations at high enough levels to kill zebra mussels for hours in an open water setting. New research from the Geological Society and Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) shows promise.

Minnesota Lakes & Rivers Advocates

Email to: Jeff Forester, Executive Director

Click on picture for video

The most important thing you can do

to fight climate change: talk about it

How do you talk to someone who doesn't believe in climate change? Not by rehashing the same data and facts we've been discussing for years, says climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe. In this inspiring, pragmatic talk, Hayhoe shows how the key to having a real discussion is to connect over shared values like family, community and religion -- and to prompt people to realize that they already care about a changing climate. "We can't give in to despair," she says. "We have to go out and look for the hope we need to inspire us to act -- and that hope begins with a conversation, today."

This 20-minute video gives great suggestions for discussing climate change.

Show Video

Eight essential knots every boater should know

Tying marine knots is a key part of boating

If you’ve spent any time out on the open water, you’ll already know just how crucial knowing how to tie a secure knot can be. While marine technology has improved leaps and bounds over the decades, knots remain a vital, basic tool for keeping equipment safe and secure onboard — a poorly-tied knot can be the difference between life and death. Knowing how to tie a number of knots is an essential skill for seafarers, sailors and yachters and one which has changed relatively little since ancient times.

The term ‘knot’ was derived from the manner in which ancient mariners measured the speed of their ships. Knots were tied at regular intervals in a piece of rope (with one knot every 14.3 meters). The rope was then cast out behind the ship as it sailed, allowing the sailors to calculate the vessel speed by counting how many knots had been cast over a certain time period. Whether you’re going on a gentle cruise or a lengthy expedition, here are some essential knots you’ll need to know.

MN COLA September Member Meeting and Round Robin

The MN COLA Member Meeting and Round Robin on September 20th (Zoom) was well attended, with great dialogue and information on current issues. Along with the usual administrative updates, the attendees enjoyed:

MN COLA legislative review and update from Tom Watson and the importance of this fall’s state elections;

Review of Lake Resiliency by engineer Rebecca Carlson, Resilience Resources;

Essential information about preparing for 2nd Tier developments from attorney Tim Keane, Kutak Rock;

Amazing information from Jim Kutzner on using drones for gathering knowledge about septic, AIS projects, and more;

Robust discussion at the informal Round Robin on DNR relationships and emerging developments near shoreland.

A recording of the meeting will be made available soon.

All are welcome to MN COLA Member meetings; next meeting (Zoom) is Tuesday, December 6th, 9am.

Click HERE if you would like to receive notifications regarding MN COLA Member Meetings.

Click on picture for video

Boat Wakes on the Spokane River

This clip includes videos of boat wakes from a variety of watercraft on the Spokane River. It enables people to compare the size and the energy of these boat wakes.

Boat Wake Video

Bogs elicit different perspectives

Most lake people are quite familiar with bogs. Bogs grow from shorelines, and portions of them, especially near the edges, float. I recently became aware that some lake people, including lake professionals, were unaware of the mischief that floating bogs can create. These floating portions can break off in high winds and waves and drift around the lake driven by wind and current. These floating bogs don’t care about your property. They catch the current and head downstream hitting or hanging up on anything they encounter. Heavy wind will force those bogs into shorelines, docks, boats, and anything else in their way. Bogs are also known to drift into bridges and narrow streams and block navigation and/or water flow. People cannot get to where they need to be and the upstream lakes and streams quickly rise. Action is often needed to minimize and prevent damage.

The state’s perspective is a bit different. A floating bog is a piece of nature, a floating ecosystem in and of itself. Part of the DNR’s role is to protect the ecosystem, including floating bogs.

Jim Kutzner, MN COLA Board

Click on image for website

AIS * Water Quality * Administration * Regulation