What is the Mississippi Brainerd Watershed?

Learn more about the Mississippi Brainerd Watershed

Almost half of the watershed is forested (42%), while grasslands and shrub wetlands make up 38%, row crops 10%, water 6%, and 4% is urban. The majority of the watershed is within the North Central Hardwood Forest with small sections in the Northern Lakes and Forests ecoregion.

The watershed has approximately 2,149 total river miles and contains 212 lakes greater than 10 acres in size. There are several impaired lakes and streams in this watershed. (From the MN PCA)

www.aitkincountyswcd.org

crowwingswcd.org

mississippiheadwaters.org/grants/cachment-chapter/Aitkin.pdf

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippi_River

www.pca.state.mn.us/water/watersheds/mississippi-river-brainerd

Building, landscaping or remodeling?

Whether you’re new to the lake or an old-timer…

What we do on the land matters to our lake quality and environment. Lone Lake property owners are required to follow the Aitkin County Shoreland Property Owner’s Checklist and contact Aitkin County Planning & Zoning before:

✦ Buying, clearing, or developing shore land property.

✦ Building a new structure or remodeling an existing structure.

✦ Installing a well and/or septic system.

✦ Draining, mowing, or filling a wetland.

✦ Building a boardwalk or raised path to the lake.

✦ Building or repairing any accessory structure near the shore (boat house, gazebo, storage locker).

More information is contained in a useful brochure called Aitkin County Shoreland Homeowner’s Guide to Lake Stewardship (click to view), which is being distributed by 2019 LLPOA membership volunteers. The guide provides basic information on good lake stewardship, which if practiced by you and collectively others around the lake, will keep the lake healthy to protect your investment in shoreland property (healthy waters=higher property values) and your enjoyment of the lake while also preserving its ecological integrity.

Starry Stonewort: An AIS threat

Photo from MN DNR

Over the past 30 years, the Minnesota DNR has brought invasive species to the attention of the public. This attention has educated public water users on specific species to watch for and how to reduce the spread. A new species of algae has emerged and it provides a greater threat to the health to a body of water than Eurasian watermilfoil and Zebra Mussels. It is Starry Stonewort.

Starry Stonewort

• Forms a dense mat at the water’s surface that inhibits water recreation.

• Will overtake habitat and outcompete native aquatic plants, potentially lowering diversity.

• Provides unsuitable shelter, food and nesting habitat for the native animals.

It is believed to spread from one body of water to another by the unintentional transfer of bulbils, the star-like structures produced by the plant. These fragments are most likely attached to trailered boats, personal watercraft, docks, boat lifts, anchors or any other water-related equipment that was not properly cleaned.

More information (external links)

www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquaticplants/

www.maisrc.umn.edu/about-starrystonewort

news.dnr.state.mn.us/2019/05/16/dnr-continues-aggressive-starry-stonewort-management/

Lake Clarity

Dave Scott, LLPOA board member and leader of the water quality team, regularly records the clarity of the lake water using a Secchi disk. It is an opaque disk, typically white, used to gauge the transparency of water by measuring the depth (Secchi depth) at which the disk ceases to be visible from the surface. Dave explained that many factors can cause the water to be opaque or clear on any given day: water churned up by wind or boat action; a cloudy day; or sediment leftover from the ice. Generally, one should note the trends over time, he said.

More information from State of Minnesota
What water clarity tells us

Here are early-season readings

• 17 May 2019: 17.5 ft.

• 30 May 2019: 28 ft.

• 26 May 2018: 19.5 ft.

• 1 June 2017: 34 ft.

• 30 May 2016: 38.5 ft.

• 28 May 2015: 33 ft.

• 28 May 2014: 27.5 ft.

• 3 June 2013: 24 ft.

Picture from State of MN

Bits & Pieces from around the lake

2019 PHOTO CONTEST

Calling all photographers!

LLPOA is challenging each and everyone of us who snaps a photo, whether it be with a 35MM camera or an iPhone, to submit their best wildlife or scenic photos taken on Lone Lake by email (JPG format, please) to lonelakepoa@gmail.com. Enter before July 13. Prizes will be awarded for the top three photos at the LLPOA Annual Meeting on July 20th.

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AIS Inspectors on duty from Fishing Opener ’til Labor Day Weekend

Dick Preiner and family members (Lot 90) launched his pontoon over Memorial Day Weekend. Our weekend’s AIS Inspector (in yellow) said most of the Memorial Weekend inspections were of boats that are permanently on Lone Lake, typically not an AIS threat.

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Question: Does LLPOA pay to trap beaver on lakeshore properties?

Answer: Trapping beaver on private properties is the homeowner’s responsibility. LLPOA covers beaver removal expenses to keep the water egress channel and culvert open.

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AITKIN RIVERS AND LAKES FAIR

Saturday, June 15. From 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Rippleside Elementary School, 225 2nd Ave. SW, Aitkin. Featuring U of M Raptor Center, Lake Superior Zoomobile, Lead-free tackle exchange, Bluebird and Bat house-building, and more. LLPOA is an event sponsor. It’s free.

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LONE LAKE TRIATHLON

Thursday, July 4. Starts at 8:30 a.m. at the public beach. Teams and single competitors. Swim, bike and run. Have fun! No pre-registration.

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INDEPENDENCE DAY BOAT PARADE

Thursday, July 4. Noon. Boaters meet at the boat access area at noon. Decorate! Be sure to put your lot number on your dock or boat.

We all make a difference in keeping our lake clean

May 2019 was an incredibly active month for the lake association. A big thanks goes out to our dedicated volunteers and board members, and to our lake residents and friends, who keep our lovely lake clean and free of invasive aquatic species. Every single effort to prevent erosion, to inspect/dry/clean your water craft, and to practice safe and respectful boating makes a difference to our lake.

In our last News Brief, I wrote about our Future of Lone Lake Planning session, held in May, in which the participants reaffirmed our goal to enhance, protect and preserve the beauty of Lone Lake. Each team defined actions they plan to lead over the next two years. For example, we will continue to support a strong presence at the public launch to keep aquatic invasive species out of Lone Lake. We will encourage and teach people how to preserve and protect their shorelines from erosion to keep sediment from polluting the lake. And, we will make information available so people know about good practices and regulations regarding sewers and lakeshore development. These and other actions will be detailed in our updated Lake Management Strategic Plan and distributed to members later in July.

Many of our members have given generously during this year’s and past membership drives to support our AIS educational efforts and to fund county inspections at the boat launch. Thank you! To further strengthen our AIS work, the board will be re-activating the AIS Zone Team concept. Volunteers will be trained to identify AIS, and will work with their neighbors to examine vegetation on docks. If you are interested in being involved, contact Linda Szymanski (AIS Team Leader) at ljsatthecabin@msn.com as we wish to get this program started this summer.

Even though the May 18 Road Clean-Up day was cool and rainy, the 15 volunteers stayed warm by enjoying hot coffee and rolls (donated by LLPOA member Mike Paulbeck, Paulbeck’s County Market) before heading out to pick up trash along Hwy. 81 and 28. Thank you volunteers for braving the elements to help keep the environment around Lone Lake beautiful! Participants included Fred Lane, Dick Preiner, Jerry Nelson, Linda and Zint Kics, Mustafa Bulut, Walt and Dianne Weisser, Peggy Bragelman, David Scott, Jennifer O’Neill, Linda Syzmanski, Jim Benda and Karen and Steve Frazier.

We also need to shout-out a big thank you to the 26 volunteers who are conducting the 2019 Membership Drive.

Membership in the LLPOA is $25. Among other things, your membership dollars support the development and dissemination of AIS and shoreline restoration information, water quality monitoring, the Lone Lake roster, sponsorship of the Aitkin Rivers and Lakes Fair, AIS inspections, and more. Our “human” environment is important, too, as your dollars also go toward making our annual meeting a sociable and fun, family-centered informative event.

You also can activate your membership online on our website using Pay Pal (click the donate button in the upper right corner) or send your check to LLPOA Box 10, Aitkin, MN 56431. Be sure to include any changes in your email or mailing address (membership form available here www.lonelake.org/membership)

Finally, I look forward to seeing you at this year’s annual meeting, which is July 20 at the Preiner property on Oak Ave. The event starts at 11 a.m. As usual, please bring a salad, main or side dish, or dessert to share. The association will provide beverages and be dishing out meat sandwiches and hot dogs.

Have a great spring on Lone Lake!
Steve Frazier, President

Welcome to another great summer on Lone

Hi Lone Lakers,

Welcome to another wonderful summer on beautiful Lone Lake. May is a busy one: many of you are opening up your cabins and putting your docks in. The lake association has also started the year at a sprinter’s pace. Here’s an update on what’s occurred, and a heads-up for what’s ahead.

On Saturday, May 4 we held our 2019 Future of Lone Lake Planning Session at the Aitkin Library to set lake association goals for the next five years in the areas of water quality, aquatic invasive species (AIS), zoning and land use, fisheries and wildlife, and water surface use. The 18 participants worked in teams to discuss issues facing the lake and potential ways to study, correct and improve conditions around the lake. All this work will come out in our 2019 Revised Lake Management Plan to be emailed to you. Copies will also be available at the Annual Meeting on Saturday, July 20. Teams will also be reporting on various goals throughout the summer in the newsletter.

Your neighbors who participated in the 2019 Future of Lone Lake Planning Session

Front Row (l to r): Linda Kics, Dianne Weisser, Dean Frost, Maureen Sanford, Kathryn Engdahl, and Jerry Baker. Back Row: Bob Kosloski, Walt Weisser, Michelle Decker, Zint Kics, Linda Szymanski, Karen Frazier, Beth-Anne Rowe and Dave Scott

AIS Boat Inspections took place from May 10-12 for the Fishing Opener. These are made possible by an Aitkin County grant program, which is supported partially by member dues and Minnesota state funding.

On Saturday, May 18 please join other Lone Lake neighbors for the semi-annual Road Clean-up. We will meet at the public beach at 9 a.m. for coffee and rolls, take a group picture, and organize into cleaning teams. Our lake environment is important both on and off the lake and we all share in the commitment to keep them clean, healthy and beautiful. This is an easy and fun service project that all members of the family can take part in and great time to meet other neighbors from around the lake.

The Memorial Weekend of May 24-27 is also a big association weekend as we will start the LLPOA membership drive and also have AIS boat inspections at the boat launch. Association volunteers will start calling on their neighbors to join the lake association, distribute information and answer members’ questions and concerns. Membership dues remain at $25. Checks can be made out to LLPOA and given to the caller volunteer or mailed to the LLPOA, P.O. Box 10, Aitkin, MN 56431, or paid online at www.lonelake.org using Pay Pal for a small additional fee for the electronic transfer. Additional donations are always appreciated to fund our AIS Boat Inspection Program as we work to protect our lake now and for the future.

Thanks again for your membership and support of our lake association.
Steve Frazier, President

Lake Planning Session

Happy Spring on Lone Lake! Will we ever see green grass? When will the ice melt? It won’t be long now!

Spring brings news of an important LLPOA event on Saturday, May 4 at the Aitkin Public Library Community Room: The Future of Lone Lake Planning Session. Your participation matters! At this event, we open up the floor to all LLPOA members to have a fruitful dialogue about issues that are important to us in our lake community. We will set goals and build plans to act on them.

I expect lively discussions to occur on such questions as: how to maintain the quality of our lake water? What’s happening with our wildlife and fisheries? How do we keep invasive aquatic species out of our lake? Should we have no-wake zones when the lake level is high? What more can we do to improve our community and lake property values? And more…

What’s on your mind? What concerns do you have that you’d like to bring forward? What can we be doing to sustain Lone Lake’s environment?

The Saturday, May 4 session is from 9 a.m. until noon, followed by a chicken-dinner luncheon, prepared by our local Paulbeck’s Market.

HOW TO REGISTER: Please register for the LLPOA Planning Session, so that we can plan for food and materials.

Email your name and the names of those attending with you to sfrazier@usjet.net. by Saturday, April 27. Indicate after each name the group you or they may be interested in being on (if you have a preference).

By email, we will send you the 2014 Lake Management Plan for your review before the planning session. You need not print it out as we will have copies of it and other materials for you at the planning session. So, roll up your sleeves and get registered and get involved!

How will the session work? After introductions and an opening discussion, we will review the goals set in 2014 and tee up any additional issues and challenges now facing our lake. Next, we will divide into five groups to set new goals, and determine subsequent actions needed, over the next five years.

The five groups are:

Team 1 – Water Quality and Shore-land Restoration and Plantings

Team 2 – Aquatic Invasive Species

Team 3 – Zoning and Land Use

Team 4 – Fisheries and Wildlife Management

Team 5 – Water Surface Use

Each group will report its goals and actions in the general session that follows, and then all participants will weigh in on the goals and actions reported, and set additional goals by consensus. The planning session will end with LLPOA taking recommendations on our communications program and on how to improve the association, in general.

If you have any questions about the Future of Lone Lake Planning Session, feel free to contact me at sfrazier@usjet.net.

Here are a few other highlights about the events and news around the lake this summer:

• We hope to see you at the Road Clean-up on Saturday, May 18th at 9 am at the Public Beach. Note that this occurs a week after the Fishing Opener to avoid conflicts of having both things on the same day. As always, we bring the coffee and rolls. Be sure to check the 2019 annual LLPOA calendar posted in this newsletter.

• The LLPOA Boat Parade will actually be held on July 4th in 2019. That is a Thursday this year.

• A goal set by the LLPOA Board is to have the LLPOA become paperless by the year 2020. This goal will be discussed at the LLPOA Annual Meeting to be held on Saturday, July 20, 2019.

Finally, thank you for your membership and support of the LLPOA in 2019.
Together we can protect Lone Lake for the future.
Steve Frazier, LLPOA president

Fall President’s Letter

Where did our beautiful summer go?  What a great summer season it was on Lone Lake and a beautiful fall is on its way.  Our annual fall road clean-up was held that past Saturday, September 8th and we want to thank the 20 loyal members that came out on a beautiful day to do our road pick-up.  We were treated to rolls and coffee complements of Mike Paulbeck from Paulpecks Country Market in Aitkin.  Members sipped coffee, shared the latest news on the lake and had a group picture.  Thanks to the county the roadsides were newly mowed and it was great walking and cleaning of our Lone Lake environment.

Our last event of the season is the Shoreland Preservation Workshop to be held Saturday, September 22nd from 10 to noon at the Wetmore property at 30097 Oak Avenue with Shelly Larson presenting.  We need your participation because our grant from Aitkin Soil and Water is funded by your volunteer hours so bring the whole family!  The LLPOA is sending out a postcard to all members promoting the event and see details elsewhere in this News Brief.  This is truly part of our mission to enhance, protect and preserve the beauty of Lone Lake for the future.

IMPORTANT NEWS FLASH!  Mark Ritter contacted the LLPOA to let members know that there will not be any gravel crushing this year.  Due to timing and weather conditions the company that contracted with Mark had to cancel it plans.  We appreciate Mark Ritter’s willingness to work with the LLPOA and to let us know of future activities at the gravel pit.

The LLPOA Board held its final meeting of the year to finish-up details on 2018 and to plan for 2019 and beyond.  The Board established the 2019 LLPOA Program Calendar with some new and notable changes.  We would like to direct you to four important dates:

(1) We will hold a Future of Lone Lake Planning Session on May 4, 2019 at the Aitkin County Library in the Community Room from 9:00AM to Noon with lunch provided.  This event is open to all LLPOA members to participate in updating our Lone Lake Management Plan.  We do this roughly in five year cycles to monitor and make action plans in the areas of Water Quality, Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention, Planning and Zoning, Fish and Wildlife, Shoreland Preservation and Communications.  We divide into teams to discuss and set action goals for the next five years and you are invited to be part of this important process of lake management planning.

(2) We have moved the spring road clean-up to Saturday, May 18th which is a week later and after the Fishing Opener to avoid conflicts of having both things on the same day. 

(3) The LLPOA Boat Parade will actually be held on Thursday, July 4th in 2019

(4) The final goal set by the LLPOA Board was to have the LLPOA become paperless by the year 2020.  This goal will be discussed at the LLPOA Annual Meeting to be held on Saturday, July 20, 2019.

Finally, thank you for your membership and support of the LLPOA in 2018.  Together we can protect Lone Lake for the future.

Steve Frazier, LLPOA president

Gravel Pit Update

In lieu of a late-August LLPOA News Brief, we are sending you this short note to alert you to a few important and timely items:

The shoreline management workshop scheduled for Saturday, August 25 is postponed until September.  A new date will be communicated soon.

Mark Ritter, who owns the gravel pit on southeast side of the lake, notified LLPOA of plans to crush and haul gravel in early September.  Set-up of the portable crushing plant will start August 30. Crushing will begin after Labor Day weekend, starting on September 4th for 7 to 10 days, and then the gravel will be hauled away until the materials have been moved off site.  Our agreement with Mark is that he would notify the association of upcoming plans so that residents can plan accordingly.  We appreciate Mark's willingness to cooperate with the LLPOA and additional questions and concerns can be directed to him.

The annual fall Road Clean-Up will occur on Saturday, September 8. Meet at the public beach at 9:00 a.m. for coffee and rolls, a group photo, and team assignments.  Work is usually completed by 10:15 a.m. Many hands make for quick work!

LLPOA appreciates your support and your care for our beautiful lake.  Our membership has now topped 105 for 2018.  Thanks for another great summer on Lone Lake. 

 -- Steve Frazier, LLPOA President.