2022 Has Been A Year Of Positives For Lake Minnewashta.
- We’ve experienced exceptional water clarity, to levels not seen in many years…our lake continues to be rated as an “A” lake by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- We’ve used your donations to treat many acres of invasive weeds
- Invasive Eurasian milfoil was nearly undetectable
- We’ve enjoyed Carver County’s support for 100% incoming watercraft inspections at the Regional Park
- We know of no new invasive species introduced into the lake
- We’ve had great financial support from you and built a large war chest in the event of a new invasive species discovery
- We’ve partnered with Carver County and Metro Blooms to provide expertise and grants to Minnewashta watershed owners to build shoreline buffers and rain gardens
- These will reduce runoff into the lake which, in turn, improves water clarity.
- Examples of three projects we co-funded are displayed.
- We’ve communicated Lake Use Recommendations via a sign we provided at the Regional Park boat launch and a card in our annual newsletter
- We’ve had cooperative use of the lake from most parties
- We’ve added a Youth member to our board, Josie Weiler
- We’ve uncovered some submerged history of Lake Minnewashta and shared it on our website.
- We’ve experienced wonderful involvement and results from our volunteer neighborhood captains, the July 4th organizers and skiers, our zebra mussel, water clarity and lake level monitors, and our board members
But on the downside
- We’ve seen growth in the incidence of zebra mussels
- In 2019 we had a handful in the main part of the lake
- This year they are all over the lake
- Curly Leaf pondweed (an early riser) was prolific and native weed growth is increasing as the water clarity improves.
- There are plans to expand Highway 5 which increases the risk of adding more salt to the lake.
- Scot and Kevin are leading the charge to ensure that salt levels are monitored and controlled to protect the water quality and that the highway design is done with our lake in mind.
- We continue to field complaints about a small number of boaters not practicing safe and responsible boating
- large wakes close to shore or other lake users, loud music, no lights, riding on transoms and towers, etc
For 2023, the LMPA board will focus on
- Continuing to educate people on improving water quality by reducing run off into the lake
- Shoreline buffering and rain gardens help!
- Grant money is available… GET THEM BUILT!
- Grow the Adopt A Drain program
- Keep focused on AIS prevention
- 100% incoming watercraft inspections
- Clean-Drain-Dry education
- Investigate actions on non-invasive vegetation
- Stay on top of developments in zebra mussel eradication
- Support the U of M’s AIS Research Center – MAISRC
- Work with MNDOT on the Highway 5 expansion plans
- Continue partnering with local and state organizations to grow the collective voice of lake associations statewide
- Continue to drive better boater etiquette – share the lake
- Awaiting the conclusion of the U of M’s wake studies
- Find a resident youth to take Josie’s place on the board when her term ends in 2023
- Fill the openings in our neighborhood captain’s roster
Do your part to help us keep Lake Minnewashta beautiful!
Improve The Water Quality & Prevent The Spread Of Invasive Species
- Use a Permitted Lake Service Provider when working on your shore
- Don’t move a mussel from infested lakes via watercraft, toys or lifts
- Clean, Drain and Dry your boat before and after launching
- Plant a shoreline buffer strip and/or rain garden using our available design resources and grant money to help
- Keep debris out of the streets & drains, especially leaves
- Inspect your docks, lifts and boats for signs of Zebra Mussels, when removed in the fall
Practice Good Boating Etiquette
- Know the rules and follow them – share the lake!
Keep Connected To The LMPA
- Register your email address by sending a note to info@lakeminnewashta.org
- Volunteer to be a neighborhood captain, a board member or join a committee
- Make a tax-deductible donation
- Payment options include Venmo, check or PayPal
- Apply for employer Matching Funds
Acknowledgement and Thanks!
- Our hosts….Camp Fire Minnesota staff
- Tom Knauer, from Whitefish Gallery who donated our wonderful Lake Minnewashta raffle prizes
- Our event planner…Helen Gunther
- Our donors
- Our neighborhood captains
- All of our lake wide volunteers
- Our board of directors
