Dear Friends
of the Lake,
Bring a neighbor to the FLLA annual meeting:
Tuesday, April 23rd, 7pm @Vannilli's on the Lake
and if they join as a new member, you will receive your choice of a FLLA Flag ($20 value) or $10 refund on your asociation dues.The new member will receive a $10 discount on their dues. Only 30% of lake families are Association members.
It's easy! Just print out, and give to your non member neighbors, the attached 3 sheets which include a sign up sheet and an explaination of the value of joining.
Thanks for your support!
FLLA Board of Directors
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Forest Lake Lake Association Overview (2013)
MISSION: Founded in 2007 as a non-profit organization [501c(3)], the mission of the Forest Lake Lake Association is to build an expanding, sustainable entity of caring individuals toPromote, Protect, Improve, and Conserve the natural resource that is Forest Lake for future generations.
Key Lake Issues /Threats:
1. Curly Leaf Pondweed(CLP). This invasive plant species grows rapidly to form a dense mat- like structure at the surface that chokes out desirable native plant species and restricts recreational boating and swimming. CLP dies at the end of June/early July and floats to shore causing disposal problems. The decaying CLP releases 2-5 pounds of phosphorus/acre, thus supporting severe algae blooms and low water clarity.
2. Zebra Mussels. This invasive species rapidly propagates taking over lakes, killing other mollusks, and attaching to boat motors/bottoms, docks, lifts and any hard surface in or near the water. Frequent removal of the ZMs is required to maintain equipment functionality. The razor sharp shells of dead ZMs eventually cover the bottom and prevent swimming/wadding without adequate foot protection. Because the thin dead shells can be blown by wind and storms, they can collect in heaps and piles, which could block not only the shallow channels connecting our three lakes but also entrances to bays/channels.
3. Phosphorus Contamination from Storm Water Runoff. Untreated storm water runoff (yards, streets, storm sewers, ditches, culverts, etc) deposits 2100 lbs of phosphorus /year into Forest Lake. This is NOT fertilizer phosphorus. The phosphorus comes from decayed grass/leaves/vegetation and sediment. It can come miles from the lake and needs to be controlled by shoreline plants, rain gardens, settling ponds and 4-5 other techniques depending on the situation/location where it flows into the lake. This phosphorus and phosphorus build up supports algae blooms/low water clarity. One pound of phosphorus can support 500 lbs of algae! This is why Forest Lake is categorized as “eutrophic” and rated as “impaired” in about half of our open water months.
4. Invasive Species NEW to Forest Lake: Purple Loosestrife and Flowering Rush.
WE NEED YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO CONTINUE MAKING AN IMPACT ON LAKE ISSUES!
Membership: Membership dues fund projects, programs and help us communicate with our members and the community regarding lake issues. Anyone interested in the lake is welcome to join. Membership dues are: $40 Standard, and $150 Corporate.
To become a member or renew your membership, complete the bottom portion of this page or register at www.ourforestlake.com.
[Cut here]-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[Cut here]
New Member Membership Renewal (2013)
Name: First:____________________ Last:_____________________________ Phone: ____________
Address: Street:___________________________________ City:________________State:______ Zip_
Email Address: ______________________________________ (Communications are done ONLY by email)
Mail checks payable to: Forest Lake Lake Association, P.O. Box 61, Forest Lake, MN 55025
The FLLA is a 501c(3) organization so dues are tax deductible.
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FLLA 2012 Year End Summary Report
Signage: Keep Lake Ice Clean
In December, signs and trash cans were posted at all lake public accesses to encourage lake users to keep the lake clean.
Storm Water Runoff Sites Identified(February)
Members were surveyed and identified 17 sites where storm water(untreated) ran directly into the lake. A Watershed District (WSD) study of Forest Lake indicated that storm water runoff contributes 2100 lbs of phosphorus/year to the lake and is the number one contributor of lake pollution. Each pound of phosphorus can support 500 lbs of algae growth! This was the beginning of a program to work with the WSD and the City to address this serious lake issue.
6th Annual Ice Clean Up (March )
Sudden , early and unseasonably hot weather created unsafe ice conditions and this event had to be cancelled.
Annual Meeting & Educational Speakers (April 24th)
Over100 people attended the meeting.
Educational guest speakers:
“Understanding and Controlling Forest Lake Invasive Species” by Steve McComas, Pres. Of Bluewater Science Inc…discussed Curly Leaf Pondweed and Zebra Mussels
“ Storm Water Runoff 2012 Management Programs” by Doug Thomas, Administrator, Comfort Lake- Forest Lake Watershed District.
Bring a neighbor to the FLLA annual meeting:
Tuesday, April 23rd, 7pm @Vannilli's on the Lake
and if they join as a new member, you will receive your choice of a FLLA Flag ($20 value) or $10 refund on your asociation dues.The new member will receive a $10 discount on their dues. Only 30% of lake families are Association members.
It's easy! Just print out, and give to your non member neighbors, the attached 3 sheets which include a sign up sheet and an explaination of the value of joining.
Thanks for your support!
FLLA Board of Directors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forest Lake Lake Association Overview (2013)
MISSION: Founded in 2007 as a non-profit organization [501c(3)], the mission of the Forest Lake Lake Association is to build an expanding, sustainable entity of caring individuals toPromote, Protect, Improve, and Conserve the natural resource that is Forest Lake for future generations.
Key Lake Issues /Threats:
1. Curly Leaf Pondweed(CLP). This invasive plant species grows rapidly to form a dense mat- like structure at the surface that chokes out desirable native plant species and restricts recreational boating and swimming. CLP dies at the end of June/early July and floats to shore causing disposal problems. The decaying CLP releases 2-5 pounds of phosphorus/acre, thus supporting severe algae blooms and low water clarity.
2. Zebra Mussels. This invasive species rapidly propagates taking over lakes, killing other mollusks, and attaching to boat motors/bottoms, docks, lifts and any hard surface in or near the water. Frequent removal of the ZMs is required to maintain equipment functionality. The razor sharp shells of dead ZMs eventually cover the bottom and prevent swimming/wadding without adequate foot protection. Because the thin dead shells can be blown by wind and storms, they can collect in heaps and piles, which could block not only the shallow channels connecting our three lakes but also entrances to bays/channels.
3. Phosphorus Contamination from Storm Water Runoff. Untreated storm water runoff (yards, streets, storm sewers, ditches, culverts, etc) deposits 2100 lbs of phosphorus /year into Forest Lake. This is NOT fertilizer phosphorus. The phosphorus comes from decayed grass/leaves/vegetation and sediment. It can come miles from the lake and needs to be controlled by shoreline plants, rain gardens, settling ponds and 4-5 other techniques depending on the situation/location where it flows into the lake. This phosphorus and phosphorus build up supports algae blooms/low water clarity. One pound of phosphorus can support 500 lbs of algae! This is why Forest Lake is categorized as “eutrophic” and rated as “impaired” in about half of our open water months.
4. Invasive Species NEW to Forest Lake: Purple Loosestrife and Flowering Rush.
WE NEED YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO CONTINUE MAKING AN IMPACT ON LAKE ISSUES!
Membership: Membership dues fund projects, programs and help us communicate with our members and the community regarding lake issues. Anyone interested in the lake is welcome to join. Membership dues are: $40 Standard, and $150 Corporate.
To become a member or renew your membership, complete the bottom portion of this page or register at www.ourforestlake.com.
[Cut here]-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[Cut here]
New Member Membership Renewal (2013)
Name: First:____________________ Last:_____________________________ Phone: ____________
Address: Street:___________________________________ City:________________State:______ Zip_
Email Address: ______________________________________ (Communications are done ONLY by email)
Mail checks payable to: Forest Lake Lake Association, P.O. Box 61, Forest Lake, MN 55025
The FLLA is a 501c(3) organization so dues are tax deductible.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FLLA 2012 Year End Summary Report
Signage: Keep Lake Ice Clean
In December, signs and trash cans were posted at all lake public accesses to encourage lake users to keep the lake clean.
Storm Water Runoff Sites Identified(February)
Members were surveyed and identified 17 sites where storm water(untreated) ran directly into the lake. A Watershed District (WSD) study of Forest Lake indicated that storm water runoff contributes 2100 lbs of phosphorus/year to the lake and is the number one contributor of lake pollution. Each pound of phosphorus can support 500 lbs of algae growth! This was the beginning of a program to work with the WSD and the City to address this serious lake issue.
6th Annual Ice Clean Up (March )
Sudden , early and unseasonably hot weather created unsafe ice conditions and this event had to be cancelled.
Annual Meeting & Educational Speakers (April 24th)
Over100 people attended the meeting.
Educational guest speakers:
“Understanding and Controlling Forest Lake Invasive Species” by Steve McComas, Pres. Of Bluewater Science Inc…discussed Curly Leaf Pondweed and Zebra Mussels
“ Storm Water Runoff 2012 Management Programs” by Doug Thomas, Administrator, Comfort Lake- Forest Lake Watershed District.
Wine Tasting Social/ Fundraiser ( June 3rd)
3rd annual wine tasting
fundraiser was held at Vanneli’s restaurant to support our 2012
lake improvement programs.
Curly Leaf Pondweed(CLP) Management Program (late April)
155 acres of CLP was successfully treated in May as follows: Lake 1(85 acres)…Lake 2 ( 37 acres)…..Lake 3( 33 acres). By preventing the rampant growth of this invasive species weed we were able :
1. Avoid the mat like weed mass at the surface which restricts recreational lake use.
- Avoid
the problem of 155 acres of CLP of dieing off and floating to shore in
early July.
- Prevent
the release of an estimated 550 pounds of phosphorus from the decaying CLP
which normally contributes to the summer algae bloom.
Weed Harvesting Program
The weed harvester is used primarily to keep channels open between the lakes, provide bay and public access to deeper lake water. This part of the season went well. However, an early, extremely hot spring and low water levels resulted in heavy growth of wild celery and other shallow rooted weeds.
Later in August /September when the harvester is normally removed, these shallow rooted weeds broke loose and created floating “weed bogs”. Some of the bogs were 30ft wide and 300ft long .They restricted docked boats from navigating to deeper water. A number of volunteers worked a total of 135 hours and removed 45 dump truck loads that the City recycled. The City estimated that 405 tons of weeds were removed. We owe a special thanks to the volunteers and the city for resolving this unusual problem.
Zebra Mussel Prevention Program
The FLLA contributed $1500 and the Watershed District contributed $4500 and applied for and won a boat launch inspection matching grant from the DNR. The grant should have provided 880 hours of boat launch inspections/education at the Forest Lake public launches to help reduce the risk of spreading invasive species such as zebra mussels and milfoil. However, high grant demand forced the DNR to an allocation program and Forest Lake only received 256 DNR sponsored inspection hours. Your FLLA jumped into action and formally petitioned the City to contribute $7500 to the additional $3500 from the FLLA. The request was quickly approved by the City Council resulting in a total of 1200 inspection hours for the 2012 season.
In addition, the CL-FL Watershed District hired a consultant who conducted a study of Forest Lake to determine how susceptible Forest Lake is to the spread /growth of zebra mussels if and when they should enter the lake. This report will be available in Feb of 2013.
Boat Tie Up Social(August 20)
This normally great social event was cancelled due to rain/inclement weather.
Lake Monitoring
The DNR relies on volunteers to monitor lake water quality. This requires taking water samples and measuring water clarity 2x/mo from mid April to early October. This year, through additional volunteers from the Association, monitoring was expanded to lakes two and three. Better data on all three lakes will allow us to compete for more lake related grants. A special thanks to the following lake monitoring volunteers;
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