Lake Service Providers Required to Take Aquatic Invasive Species Training

Service providers doing business in the Lake Minnetonka area must complete aquatic invasive species training before being able to legally work this season.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering aquatic invasive species (AIS) training to owners of lake service provider businesses in Minnesota so they can legally work in the state’s waters.  For lake service providers that don’t already have permits, the DNR is offering a number of training sessions in the next several months. The schedule is available at http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/permits/lsp/lsp-ais-training.pdf. Businesses are legally required attend AIS training and acquire a permit before being hired to place or remove water-related equipment from state waters. The law, passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2011, aims to help prevent the spread of AIS.  “More than 800 lake service businesses attended AIS …

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Avoid Spreading Aquatic Invasive Species when Removing Equipment

Lake Minnetonka residents are urged to use permitted service providers this fall and report any new infestations.

The crisp weather signals the approach of winter, and with it, thousands of Minnesotans will be storing their boats, docks, lifts and other water-related equipment until spring. To assist in the handling and prevention practices of aquatic invasive species (AIS), the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) and Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) urge residents to consider the following tips and understand the AIS transportation laws in place to keep AIS at bay:  Use Permitted Service Providers AIS infestations in the state have been caused by improper removal and movement of docks, lifts and other equipment. Minnesota law now requires lakeservice providers—anyone hired to install …

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A Look at Unifying Lake Minnetonka Bowfishing Laws

Star Tribune reports on cities around Lake Minnetonka taking a look at uniform rules governing bowfishing.

Recent Rains Prompt Uptick in Grays Bay Dam Discharge

As Lake Minnetonka returns to normal water levels, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District doubles dam discharge.

Recent rains have caused Lake Minnetonka's water level to rise about 1.5 inches in the last 72 hours. On Monday the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) increased discharge of Grays Bay Dam from 20 feet per cubic system to 50 cubic feet per second. The lake level stood at 929.29 feet as of Monday morning, a tick below the 929.4 feet typically seen at this time of year. A dry early spring caused Lake Minnetonka to fall below 928 feet back in April, prompting the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District to take the unusual step of issuing a low water declaration. The resolution authorized temporary dock extensions for lakeshore property owners. The declaration was cancelled late last week, but temporary and legally-permitted dock length …

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Lake Minnetonka Water Levels Return to Normal

Recent rains have brought lake levels up over a foot since April. Find out how the cancellation of low water declaration affects you.

When Lake Minnetonka's water levels fall below 928 feet, the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) code states the board of directors may approve a resolution declaring low water. Such a resolution was adopted by the board on April 11, providing temporary permission for dock extensions. Recent rains have brought Lake Minnetonka's water level up over a foot since then, and this week was measured at 929.09 feet. Since the lake level has risen to typical, historical measurements the low water declaration on Lake Minnetonka has been cancelled. The cancellation takes effect immediately. Temporary and legally-permitted dock length extentions, in accordance with LMCD code, are allowed to remain in place for the remainder of the 2012 …

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Senator Al Franken Tours Lake Minnetonka Today

Sen. Franken to discuss impact of invasive species on local tourism economy during boat tour of Lake Minnetonka. Stop at Rapala headquarters in Minnetonka also planned.

U.S. Sen. Al Franken will take boat tours of both Lake Minnetonka and the Mississippi River today to learn how invasive species such as Asian carp, zebra mussels and Eurasian milfoil affect important Minnesota waterways and how they may impact Minnesota's important tourism economy.   Prior to the two boat tours, Sen. Franken will be in Minnetonka to meet with company officials and employees at Rapala USA, well-known maker of fishing lures and other fishing equipment.   Rapala sells fishing products in 140 countries, and Sen. Franken will meet with company leaders and employees, discuss the company's role in the tourism economy and take part in a casting demonstration in the company's demonstration pond. Sen. Franken then head to Excelsior…

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Low Water Levels Prompt Conservation District to Take Unusual Action

Lake Minnetoka Conservation District is opening up application process for dock extensions.

When Lake levels fall below 928.0 feet, the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) Board of Directors may approve a resolution that allows for temporary dock length extensions for licensed (multiple dock facilities) and unlicensed (primarily residential) sites on Lake Minnetonka.   The LMCD Board of Directors has been considering this matter based on water level readings provided by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District since mid-March, as well as projected precipitation.   Based on those findings, a resolution was adopted on Wednesday declaring “low water” on Lake Minnetonka.   This resolution authorizes temporary dock extensions per LMCD code. The permitting forms defining and authorizing the placement of the temporary dock …

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What Low Lake Levels May Mean to You

The Lake Minnetonka Conservation District may allow temporary dock length extensions on Lake Minnetonka.

Below normal precipitation since last fall has been on the forefront of discussion for many Lake Minnetonka residents. While the water may seem low now, historical lake levels were similar in 2000 and 2009. Additionally, levels were dramatically lower in the late 1980s and early 1990s.   The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) reported last month the water level reading on Lake Minnetonka to be 927.93 feet. When lake levels fall below 928.0 feet, the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) Code states that the Board of Directors may approve a resolution that allows for temporary dock length extensions for licensed (multiple dock facilities) and unlicensed (primarily residential) sites on Lake Minnetonka.   An overview of those …

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Residents Urged To Use MN DNR Permitted Lake Service Providers

Service provider mandatory training for aquatic invasive species prevention underway.

As residents prepare for the open water season, the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) encourage those that will be hiring lake service providers to utilize providers that are lawfully permitted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR). The MN DNR’s mandatory training program was enacted by the State of Minnesota in 2011 to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). It applies to all hired providers that install or remove water-related equipment (boats, docks, boat lifts, or other structures) from Minnesota bodies of water. The LMCD and the MCWD fully endorse the new law, which will assist in containing existing AIS, such as zebra mussels in Lake …

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Wayzata Puts Plans for New Lakefront Enhancement in Motion

City embarks on possible 10-year plan to maximize lake assets.

The City of Wayzata has roped off $100,000 to launch a 10-year lakefront improvement plan that could eventually transform Lake Minnetonka. Setting aside of the already-scheduled Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenue comes at the recommendation of a 10-member Lakefront Improvement Task Force that for the last year has examined how to maximize use of Lake Minnetonka’s shoreline areas. The task force’s 11-page final report was presented to the city council this week and is attached to this posting. It outlines Phase I of a broad-stroked plan centering around Wayzata but closely integrating all 14 of Lake Minnetonka’s communities. City Councilmen Andrew Mullin and Tom Tanner co-chaired the city’s task force and began exploring a long-range …

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