Lake Minnewashta Preservation Association

The Lake Minnewashta Preservation Association (LMPA) held its 2025 Annual Meeting to review progress in protecting, preserving, and enhancing the quality of Lake Minnewashta. Over fifty residents attended the meeting which included an open forum on a wide variety of topics.

LMPA president Steve Gunther opened the meeting, welcoming first-time attendees and recognizing the dedicated volunteers who make the organization effective.

our 2025 board of directors

• Kevin Zahler – Master water steward, AIS lead, shoreline buffer coordinator and Highway 5 expansion and chloride monitoring lead and so much more
• Scot Lacek, vice president who works on permitting for invasive weed treatment, DNR funding, rock hazard mapping and responsible for an exciting new automated education system at the Regional  Park
• Anne Ripple – our treasurer
• Helen Gunther – secretary and annual meeting planner
• Doug Tanner – who contributed in a wide variety of topics 
• LJ Ripple –  youth board member who is completing his final season with us
• Dan Laun – who is retiring from the board but has provided great insights 
• Nancy Simpson, from the Pleasant Acres association,
• Becca Fink from Campfire Minnesota who has recently left the organization

and a shout out to some special non board members

• Rick Zweig – our long time water quality and elevation monitor along with Kevin Zahler. Rick has retired from service with us and we offer him our deepest thanks for a job well done
• The July 4^th event organizers and t-shirt committee 
• Gary Bhwojani, who kept our fireworks show going again in 2025!
• Our neighborhood captains who are a conduit of info!

2025 Has Been A Year Of Positives For Lake Minnewashta. 

• We’ve experienced very good water clarity…our lake continues to be rated as an “A” lake by the MET Council                                                                           
• We’ve used your donations to treat many acres of invasive weeds.
  • Invasive Eurasian milfoil was nearly undetectable                                                    
• A 5 Year Plan to eradicate Curly Leaf Pondweed was approved 
  • Estimate $30k/year for 5 years
  • Scheduling a DNR required “turion” survey this fall as the first step             
• We’ve enjoyed Carver County’s support for incoming watercraft inspections for AIS at the Regional Park
  • We know of no new invasive species introduced into the lake                     
• Proactive actions taken to address Highway 5 expansion issues
  • We project lower chloride runoff due to gutters and runoff ponds                          
• We’re piloting a new automated, vehicle-activated audio training system stressing Clean-Drain-Dry at the Regional Park…developed by Scot Lacek                     
• We’ve continued our partnership with Carver County and Chanhassen to provide expertise and grants to Minnewashta watershed owners to build shoreline buffers and rain gardens
  • These reduce runoff into the lake which improves water clarity.                             
• We drove Carver County sheriff to place markers on rock hazards to reduce boat damage     
• We’ve had great financial support from you and built a large war chest                                    
• We’ve had cooperative use of the lake from most parties                                                          
• We’ve experienced the help of wonderful volunteers… neighborhood captains, the July 4^th organizers and skiers, our zebra mussel, water clarity and lake level monitors, and our board members                                                            

But on the downside

• We suffered a period with Slow/No Wake declaration due to high water levels for the second year.
  • City Council was asked by a citizen’s group to raise the trigger level to the 100 year flood mark which the LMPA board does not support
• Minnewashta is only classified as a C+ lake by MN DNR
  • We should be much higher to protect the water way into the future.                     
• Minnewashta is considered an impaired lake for aquatic life  
• Curly Leaf pondweed (an early riser) was prolific and native weed growth is increasing as the water clarity improves.                                                                                        
• We continue to see zebra mussels but there is no immediate solution  
• The expansion of Highway 5 will increase traffic noise despite our efforts                                
• We continue to field complaints about a small number of boaters not practicing safe and responsible boating 
  • Not observing Slow No wake, large wakes close to shore or other lake users, loud music, no lights, riding on transoms and towers, etc. 
  • No meaningful enforcement except on July 4^th
• Further degradation of the lake is possible due to shoreline erosion
  • Boating regulations must be improved and enforced to preserve safety, shoreline protection and water quality
• Our Bylaws need to be updated

For 2026, the LMPA board will focus on

• Keep focused on AIS prevention and reduction
  • 100% incoming watercraft inspections and Clean-Drain-Dry education       
  • Implement a wide scale, multi-year weed treatment to 100% eradicate curly leaf pondweed
  • Investigate actions on non-invasive vegetation
  • Implement the automated, vehicle-activated audio training system stressing Clean-Drain-Dry at the Regional Park and other launches
• Work with the city to reduce the Slow-No Wake frequency and duration
  • While protecting the lake from shoreline damage and water quality degradation
• Continue to educate people on improving water quality by reducing run off into the lake
  • Shoreline buffering and rain gardens…Grant money is available
  • Grow the Adopt A Drain program      
  • Don’t let leaves run off into the lake                                                                          
• Stay on top of the U of M’s St. Anthony Falls Laboratory wave impact study and their final conclusions and recommendations (2026)                                                                          
• Monitor the efforts of MAISRC in developing genetic modifications of zebra mussels to eradicate them and implement when ready                                        
• 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
  • Expand and deploy our Boating Recreational Use Guidelines 
  • with help from Minnesota Inboard and other area lake associations
• Update our Bylaws
• Fill the openings on our board and neighborhood captain’s rosters                                           

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 – Adopt a Drain
• 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!

Join us!

• Volunteer to be a board member, a neighborhood captain or join a committee           

Keep Connected To The LMPA

• Register your email address by sending a note to info@lakeminnewashta.org
• Get your neighbors to sign up as well                                                                                          

Donate To The LMPA when needed

• Make a tax-deductible donation
  • Payment options include Zelle, Venmo, check or PayPal
  • Apply for employer Matching Funds

Acknowledgement and Thanks!

• Our hosts, Camp Fire Minnesota        
• Our event planner…Helen Gunther
• Our donors 
• Our board of directors, our neighborhood captains and all of our lake wide volunteers     

The Lake Minnewashta Preservation Association is hosting our Annual Meeting and Pot Luck Dinner at the wonderful dining room of Camp Fire Minnesota , Sunday October 12th  from 4PM to 7PM. This is a great time to meet and catch up with your neighbors (old and new), hear an update on what’s happening on Lake Minnewashta and make plans for 2026. There will also be an open discussion about issues around the lake so we hope you will join us.  

This year, we will return to our usual Pot Luck Dinner and ask that you bring a dish to share and your favorite beverage. The LMPA will provide hot dogs, buns, condiments and water to drink.The Camp is located off of Highway 41 at 3300 Tanadoona Drive, Excelsior, MN 55331. Look for the yellow signs. 

AGENDA:
4:00 – 4:45         Check in and Social Hour
4:45 – 6:30       Dinner and Annual Meeting 
6:30 – 7:00         Socializing and Clean Up

Please RSVP to Helen Gunther at hgunther57@gmail.com or 612-986-4073. Helen needs to have an idea how much food to buy so please let us know if you are coming. 

Fall is an important time to protect storm drains. Join the nation’s largest Adopt a Drain program which invites residents to adopt a storm drain and commit to keeping it clear of leaves, trash and other debris.

Keeping storm drains clean prevents pollution in lakes and creeks. The program began in Minnesota in 2017, and the impacts are huge. Around 19,000 volunteers have prevented over 900,000 lbs. of debris from getting into local lakes and rivers.

Leaves, grass clippings, and dirt that build up along curbs and storm drains contain phosphorus, a nutrient which in high amounts causes algae blooms and reduces oxygen in the water.

Just 1 yard waste bag of leaves has enough phosphorus to create 100 lbs. of algae in water.

Sign up as an individual, a family, a school, an organization, a service group, and more. A few minutes a month can make a big difference in our waters. 

Click HERE to sign up!

Dear Lake Minnewashta Residents and Supporters,

As part of our ongoing mission to protect and enhance the water quality and recreational enjoyment of Lake Minnewashta, the Lake Minnewashta Preservation Association (LMPA) will be treating areas of the lake for aquatic invasive species (AIS) in August.

We want to keep you fully informed—this is your official notice that we will be conducting treatments in various parts of the lake in August.

Eurasian Watermilfoil Treatment

Within the next two weeks, we will treat Eurasian Watermilfoil, another invasive species, using the DNR- and EPA-approved herbicide 2,4-D under a DNR permit. This chemical , has proven highly effective in past treatments. If your property is affected, shoreline signs will be posted with any applicable water use guidelines—though there are no restrictions on swimming or fishing after treatment.

If you do not want treatment to occur near your property (within 150 feet of shore), please notify us by August 15th  by emailing info@lakeminnewashta.org. This deadline is important.

Treatment zones will be based on the most current survey…see below.

Float signs will be placed in the treated areas, and residents should refer to these for any water-use information. Restrictions are minimal with these products, but we encourage everyone to stay informed.

Previous Curly-Leaf Pondweed (CLP) Treatment

Our first treatment in May targeted Curly-leaf pondweed (CLP), an invasive plant that grows in early spring and can disrupt water quality and recreation. Treatment areas included locations within 150 feet of your shoreline, as identified by a recent survey conducted by the Carver County Water Management Organization.

We used EPA-approved aquatic herbicides Dibrox or Flumigard under a DNR permit.This year, the DNR has approved an expanded treatment plan (see below):

• 50 acres of CLP was treated in May (up from 40 acres in previous years)
• This is part of our 5-year plan to significantly reduce CLP levels
• A follow-up assessment will be conducted later in the season, possibly followed by a fall or winter treatment

Native Aquatic Plants

Please note: the many plants you may have noticed in this summer—such as Coontail, White Water Crowfoot, Bladderwort, and others—are native species and play a healthy role in the lake ecosystem. These will naturally return each season and are not part of our treatment plan.

How You Can Help

These treatments are entirely funded by donations from generous LMPA members. If you’re a lakeshore property owner—or simply someone who enjoys this beautiful lake—please consider joining the LMPA or making a donation to support this important work.

Thank you for your continued support in keeping Lake Minnewashta clean, healthy, and enjoyable for everyone.

Registration for Starry Trek on August 9th is open. Carver County Water Management Organization (CCWMO) is hosting an event at Waconia Regional Park.

Starry Trek is a statewide event focused on searching for one of Minnesota’s newest aquatic invasive species, starry stonewort (and other invaders). Team up with us and hundreds of your fellow Minnesotans across the state to learn about and find aquatic invaders.

What you’ll do

You will meet at Waconia Regional Park where you will receive a brief training on how to identify starry stonewort and other target aquatic invasive species and how to follow the search protocols. Groups are then sent out to nearby priority lakes to follow the protocols and bring back any suspicious organisms. Starry Trek is a free event and no experience or special equipment is required. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Learn more and register at https://maisrc.umn.edu/starrytrek

Notice from the City of Chanhassen :

The Chanhassen City Engineer lifted the slow-no-wake restriction at Lake Minnewashta as of 2PM July 7th. 

In case there is any confusion, the LMPA’s has no authority in the imposition or lifting of Slow-No Wake declarations. Our role is to communicate in a timely fashion to as many stakeholders as we can. We use emails, this website and Facebook page to do so. Since 2020, the City of Chanhassen has the responsibility to administer the imposition and lifting of slow-no wake declarations. Here is a LINK to the the City of Chanhassen Municipal Code. Section 6-49 is the applicable section. The ordinary high water level (OHWL) is 944.5′ above sea level. The slow-no wake trigger is 945′, which is above the OHWL, but below FEMA’s100 year flood level which is 945.9′.  

The purpose of the No Wake trigger is to protect the lake’s shoreline and water quality while balancing it with residents interests with recreational use of the lake. This prevents property damage, ensures public safety, and protects shoreline areas vital to a healthy lake.  Most intact and natural shoreline can hold their own against high water levels, waves and winter ice. But many of our lake shorelines are no longer natural. They consist of grass to the water’s edge or rip rap. Grass has little roots to hold soil in place, and rip rap has potential to fail, both which lead to erosion of soil along the shoreline, loss of property, and sediment pollution in the lake. Preventing waves during high water levels greatly reduces shoreline erosion and preserves the water quality and wildlife enjoyed by communities.