Thanks to the culvert team, Lone Lake’s level is going down, but slowly. July 2, in the rain, 9 hardy team members moved the debris from the stream and the culverts to allow for the natural, DNR chosen level for our lake. This allows excess water to flow to Ripple Lake.
True, some residents want the lake higher and some want it lower, mostly dependent on your location on the lake. Years ago this was determined by the MN DNR. Receiving over 1.25” additional rain on July 4 and more each of the next days, this water is adjusting many shorelines.
Currently we are 11 INCHES over that high water mark.
What can you do right now?
Join those pictured below to keep an eye on the culverts.
Keep your shoreline safe with:
Willow wattle with/without shoreline plantings (easier and cheaper)
Coir logs (soft, easier to walk on, not cheap)
Rocks and boulders (some profess this is great, others disagree)
Or ??? Join the team. Email us your interest, caring, and concern at lonelakepoa@gmail.com. We need a few more weekday and weekend volunteers.
WHY keep the soil on the land?
Excellent example this year. We started the year with early ice out, Normally spring gives us a higher Secchi disc reading (sometimes as high as 30’,)
June 1, 2024 was 26’.
The DNR measured only 18’ mid June after many rainfalls and more boat traffic. Thanks to Dave and Barb Dusbabek, the July 11 readings are:
Secchi disc (water clarity) has risen to 19.5’
Surface water temperature is 78 degrees. (Only 62 degrees in May).
However, we are currently at 11” OVER the high water mark as determined by the DNR. Too much rain and blocked culverts to blame.
Currently we do send HUGE thanks to:
Those boat captains who use the middle of the lake for their water activities, those cruisers who stay out a bit further, go slower, or are delaying that happy hour cruise for a month, and those personal watercraft drivers who drive slower to the middle of the lake and then don’t need to create the biggest wave ever….this year. Ideas for how to encourage others for prudent use of the very full Lone Lake?
A quick reminder……staying away from the shore includes staying away from personal docks. Are you near a long dock on the east side….instead of estimating your distance from shore from do it to the end of the dock….stay at least 150’ away….half a football field length/ about the width of a football field.
PS…..today I was witness to a boat captain taking his skier out to ski. Yes he did go quickly at a right angle away from his shoreline, but the skier ended the trip in the middle of the lake, and the boat captain headed to shore…more rapidly to begin with and then slowed down when within 300’ or so.
Thanks to all who are driving their boats aware of the high waters.
Aitkin County Sheriff on Lone Lake
Friday, July 5 an Aitkin County Sheriff’s patrol joined those on the public beach as well as meeting a few boat riders with positives for their boat usage, life jackets on/or available, and other boating issues. Many children at the beach received stickers promoting positive choices. Hopefully if you met with the deputy it was a positive experience for all!
Aitkin Soil and Water info
This local division of the statewide office now shares a bimonthly news update.
Click here to read the latest issue and to sign up to receive your own copy.
LOONLETS?
Just recently loon cries came from the lake about 10;30 one evening. Please help all of us keep those babies safe. Watch for them and avoid them. Thanks