2022 Annual Meeting

We had a wonderful turnout for the LLPOA meal and Annual Meeting 2022 with 55 members, family and friends attending. Stan Tekiela’s talk on ‘Backyard Birds’ was both educational and entertaining. Members asked for his contact information and it is www.naturesmart.com and he has over 200 books both for children and adult bird and animal reference books and audios for sale online. Also we would like to thank Mike and Natasha for the discount on the delicious hot dogs, brats and other items for our meal from Paulbeck’s Market.

At the meeting members re-elected: Linda Kics as Secretary, Bev Napurski as Website/Data Director, Linda Szymanski as AIS Team Leader, and Zint Kics as Fisheries & Wildlife Team Leader. Two positions remain open on the board for Director at Large and Surface Water Use Team Leader. Please contact me if you are interested in serving on the Board at sfrazierllpoa@gmail.com. Complete minutes of the meeting are attached below. Also discussed at the meeting were some issues that have developed involving Steven’s Point (north side of the narrows) swimming area that has prompted the Steven’s Point Association’s President Gino Perrozzi and LLPOA President Steve Frazier to make a joint statement to make the Steven’s Point Sand Bar a permitted swimming area but still public waters. We urge all lake residents to be good and considerate members.

To end the year there will be AIS Boat Inspections at the Public Access on Labor Day Weekend Sept. 2nd-5th and then the Fall Road Clean-up on Saturday, Sept. 12th. Thank you for your LLPOA Membership and to help enhance, protect and preserve the beauty of Lone Lake for the future.

Thanks to all for being good citizens of our lake community. We’ll see you on the lake.
Steve Frazier


What’s on the calendar?

July 4th

Enough rain and potential storms to cancel the parade. Better safe than sorry.

Hardy triathletes finish by starting early!

The Lone Lake Triathlon did start early and squeezed every drop of effort from the five contestants. Thanks to the VanSlooten family for their efforts to again organize the event. Participants included Matt VanSlooten, Hudson VanSlooten, Nic Erickson, Peter Maxwell and Dirk VanSlooten. (Soggy) hats off to all!


July 16 | 11:00 am

LLPOA Annual Meeting. The highlight is speaker Stan Tekiela sharing so much information about local birds. We again will meet at Preiner’s pole barn: 30353 Oak Avenue. No food to bring. One more year of everything for lunch provided, thanks to the delicious foods from Paulbeck’s County Market. For young children we will have a few bird and bat houses to build and take home. Please bring some leaded tackle items to exchange for items without the lead that harms so many lake area creatures. More info on the dangers of lead tackle.

Come meet new neighbors and reconnect with old friends at the 2022 Annual Meeting.


The LLPOA is looking for more board members. If you have the desire and a bit of time to help keep Lone Lake a high quality lake in Aitkin County and the entire state of MN, please email lonelakepoa@gmail.com or let us know of your interest at the meeting.

Bird photos……we need more please! Send them to lonelaepoa@gmail.com or post on Facebook. Thanks!


July 30

Lakeshore maintenance/upgrade workshop. Calling all those who have participated in previous events, those who have received benefits from this Aitkin County grant, and everyone concerned about maintaining their lakeshore with the ups and downs of water levels, winds, and wakes. Best to maintain what you have before it washes into the lake. What is willow wattle?

Our demonstration site is at the Prell cabin, lot 19, 38330 297th Lane. SE side of the lake. Learn about the best native plants to use to keep your lakeshore on the shore. The more the merrier. Thank you to all!


August 6

Aitkin Riverboat Days. Parade, rides, Dump Run, all class reunion and special events. Full schedule coming soon. Visit the city for fun.🎉

Does the DNR Report on the Upper Mississippi have bearing for area lakes?

A recent DNR Study shows both positive and negative trends. Check out #4 below. If cleaner water means fewer AIS issues In the Mississippi, is that what is helping Lone Lake?

How does this affect our water in the upper reaches of the Mississippi? A step down the road for Lone Lake or what can we learn? (Are we glad to be aLone?)

Status, trends report released on Upper Mississippi River System

Photo credit: Minnesota DNR

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Geological Survey, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and natural resources agencies in four other states, have released a report on the ecological status of the Upper Mississippi River.

This important report analyzes more than 25 years of data and will inform river management and investments in the coming years. The report includes information on water quality and aquatic vegetation, as well as fisheries data from six geographic study areas and select system-wide data.

The report includes information from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. The Status and Trends report is prepared by the Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) program, which is a partnership of federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations and individuals working together to support Upper Mississippi River System ecosystem rehabilitation, research and monitoring. Previous Status and Trends reports were released in 1998 and 2008.

“Upper Mississippi River Restoration program partners that produced this report are taking a proactive approach to changes in this globally significant river system,” DNR Deputy Commissioner Barb Naramore said. “The report provides essential analyses of the effects of changing hydrology, invasive species and many other factors.”

“The Status and Trends Report will inform and influence the work of many government agencies, nonprofits and other partners,” DNR Ecological and Water Resources Division District Manager Megan Moore said. “We are grateful to be a part of this partnership and the important guidance it produces.”

The report is available via the USGS Publications Warehouse at Ecological Status and Trends of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers

Key takeaways from this report that are relevant to Minnesota:

  1. The river is changing for a variety of reasons, but mostly as a result of changing hydrology and invasive species. The Upper Mississippi River System is a large and diverse ecosystem with many regional differences. Changes in the river are occurring differently and at different rates within the Upper Mississippi River System.

  2. There is more water in the river more of the time, with high flows lasting longer and occurring more frequently throughout the system. These trends are likely permanent changes to the river’s hydrology driven by land use changes and a shifting climate. Water flow is the primary driver affecting the quality and quantity of habitat.

  3. Floodplain forest loss has happened in nearly all the study areas, except south of St. Louis, Missouri, where locks are not in place. The forests may be responding to several interacting factors and environmental changes, including increasing flood inundation and invasive species.

  4. In Pool 4 (between Red Wing and Winona) and Pool 8 (near La Crosse, Wisconsin), water has become clearer and aquatic plants more abundant and diverse, which is improving habitat for fish and wildlife and leading to a decline in invasive fish species.

  5. Concentrations of nutrients, notably nitrogen and phosphorus, remain high, exceeding U.S. Environmental Protection Agency benchmarks and continuing to threaten aquatic life and water supplies along the Upper Mississippi River System. Total phosphorus concentrations have, however, declined in many of the studied river areas. Improvements to the Cannon River watershed significantly contributed to improved water quality in the Upper Mississippi River along the Minnesota border below the Cannon River confluence.

  6. The Upper Mississippi River System continues to support diverse and abundant fish populations. Economically and socially important recreational fish populations have increased in the northern portion of the Upper Mississippi River System. There have, however, been substantial declines in forage fish throughout the river network. Forage fish serve as important food for larger fishes and other animals. Invasive carp have thus far been unable to establish self-sustaining populations in Minnesota.

Information about related DNR partnerships is available on the Mississippi River Management page

MN DNR reminders for laws

and “MN nice” cabin and lake usage

Another year moves along. How many months of boat usage was that? Here in MN, we are fortunate to have our water “toys” available for 3-4-5 months. Very easily, in those other 7-8-9 months, to put the guidelines far back in our minds.

Reminders

  • Jet skis/personal watercraft-lake usage times set by MN law run from 9:30 a.m. until an hour before sunset. Lucky for us, sunset is about 9 p.m. right now, but days only getting shorter.

  • Those passengers under age 10 need to be wearing their life jacket-not just have it in the boat.

  • Boaters, please stay right when passing. Keep an eye out for others in the lake.

  • Big boats….stay in the middle of the lake to help preserve our shorelines from large wakes.

  • While the lake is all public waters, be kind to those on their dock, swimming near their property, or just relaxing lakeside. Choose to park your boat to swim or relax a polite distance from others.

  • Are you a night owl out fishing? Remember others may be trying to sleep. Your conversations carry well across the water, as does your motor noise. Be considerate for those sleeping in nearby cabins when you find that hot fishing spot.

  • How big is your wake? Own it! Remember smaller craft, including SUP, paddle boats, kayaks, canoes, sail boats, water skiers, wake boarders, knee boarders, tubers and swimmers cannot change their coarse to get out of your large wake trailing behind you. Your boating affects more than just your boat location.

  • Enjoying another lake with your watercraft? Please make sure to clean it off, even stopping first to use the machine at Spirit Lake public landing (off of CR 28 on weekends) to spray with water to remove any possible AIS (invasive species) before returning to Lone Lake. Many area lakes have zebra mussels and other assorted invasive species, Farm Island and Mille Lacs included.

Thank you in advance for keeping everyone safe on Lone Lake.

Our fine feathered friends

Apps to help with BIRD identification

This bird doesn’t need help being identified. Photo by Lori Wolden | Lori’s Eye. Owner on Lone Lake.

Ever wonder what birds you hear while enjoying precious time relaxing at the cabin? Attached are two apps which help to identify birds based on photos or just listening to their bird songs. These apps are sponsored by Cornell University, specifically The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Audubon Society.. The data collected is used by the university to further track bird migrations and gather data on the birds locations.

Here is a link to the website on the Merlin App which can be used to identify birds based photos or the bird call. There is a video on how the app works at the below website with links to download.

https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

The second app is ebird. This is better suited to the more serious bird watchers on the lake. There is also a video explaining how the app works and the data is used.

https://ebird.org/home

Share with us on an email to lonelakepoa@gmail.com some information on what birds you have identified here at the lake.

Also hoping your photographic expertise for birds can be added to our annual meeting. Send us your bird photos by July 8 to be included in our annual meeting display. Thanks!

Lone Lake July 4th and more

July 4th

8:30 a.m. Annual Lone Lake triathlon. Single participants or a team, come join the swimming, biking, and running efforts of many. Meet at the public beach for the 8:30 start time. Still time to practice swimming to Dance Hall point, biking around CR 39 and 12, and running CR 12 and 28. Hoping for good weather for all the participants!

11:00 a.m. Annual Lone Lake boat parade. Have any type of boat that can travel the lake? Decorate, find friends to ride with, and join the parade at the public boat landing for the 11:00 a.m. start time. This year the parade will travel east, led by last year’s winners. Travel around the lake to the many viewers gathered on docks and in front of cabins.

No boat to use? Decorate your dock for all to see. Creative participants of past years set the bar high for fun with this activity.

Many enjoy evening fireworks from a variety of locations out on the lake. Please make sure your boat can be seen by others if you participate in this evening activity.




July 6-9

131st Aitkin County Fair. Free admission

https://aitkincountyfair.com/
Scroll down on this link to see 2022 schedule




July 16

11am. LLPOA Annual Meeting at Preiner’s pole barn, 30353 Oak Avenue, north side of Lone Lake. Come one, come all!

This year we are excited to have Stan Tekiela join us to speak on “Backyard Birds-Welcomed guests at our gardens and feeders.” Stan is a well known and accomplished nature photographer and speaker. Lunch will be provided, nothing to bring. Come join us for the 11am start time. Look for your mailed postcard to arrive soon.



LEAD FREE TACKLE

LEAD FREE tackle exchange to keep those baby loons now on the lake and others safer. Bring your leaded tackle…jigs, sinkers, etc. to turn in and receive some lead free items in exchange. Thanks!


PHOTOGRAPHERS!

Thank you to Lori Wolden for posting picures for our Facebook page.Now let’s see your bird pictures!

Still hoping to receive from our local photographers, bird photos of our birds around Lone Lake. Please send one or many to lonelakepoa@gmail.com They will be displayed at the meeting.

End of July

Willow wattle experts and “wanna bee’s”. We need your help to shore up the shoreline on Lone Lake. Look for more info to come. With waters now rising, let us know if you also need assistance keeping your shoreline material on the shore. Email please. See you in a month!


MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

Thanks to everyone who welcomed the membership team to your cabin during the past few weeks. Sorry to have missed some of you. Please visit: https://www.lonelake.org/membership to join online or through snail mail. Memberships accepted at annual meeting. Why join? You help to support all the efforts to maintain our community and our lake.


TREE & STORM DAMAGE

Tree damage from storms? Some suggestions

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/news/2022/06/02/dnr-offers-advice-dealing-storm-damaged-trees

Spring President’s Letter

Hi Lone Lakers,

Well summer is finally here and the LLPOA Board has met in May and June working on this year’s summer program. Thank you for your membership renewals for our spring member drive that started Memorial Day Weekend. A special thanks to our 14 volunteers that called or are calling on members for their memberships. Dues are $25 and members can contribute to fund a 3 hour AIS Inspections for $45 or a donation to the AIS Fund. Missed your volunteer? Click here for online membership

With June now being in full swing we want to remind you of the Aitkin County Rivers and Lakes Fair to be held on June 18th at the Long Lake Conservation Center in Palisade about a half hour drive from Lone Lake. The LLPOA is a supporter of this family friendly event with great exhibits, classes and top level presentations.

AIS Inspections have been going on in June and so far the inspectors have not come upon any boats or trailers with Zebra Mussels or Eurasian Milfoil. Yea!!

Thinking ahead, here are a couple of heads-up thoughts for July. The first is the 4th of July triathlon at 8:30 at the public beach for the swim, bike and run competition. Participants can go solo or by a team. It is great fun and we thank the VanSlooten Family headed by Matt for running this fun event on Lone Lake. Then following the Triathlon the LLPOA Boat Parade and Dock Competition will take place at 11:00 am this year. Last year’s winners will lead the parade east around the lake and will selects this year's winners of the pontoon, speedboat and dock competitions.

Finally, don’t miss the LLPOA Annual Meeting on Saturday, July 16th because we have the nationally acclaimed wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela who will be presenting on “Backyard Birds: Welcomed Guests at our Gardens and Feeders.” We will also be highlighting member’s photos of birds and a Birdhouse Building Clinic for your kids. Watch for information from the LLPOA online and in your mailbox for all the details. Thanks again for your membership and support of the LLPOA.

We'll see you on the lake.
Steve


Summer Tidbits | 2022

Monday, July 4th

11:00 am on your calendar for the annual boat parade. Time to start gathering ideas and supplies now! Also Monday, July 4th, the triathlon will begin at 8:30 am at the public beach, with both teams and individuals competing. Make your training count with this local event. Thanks to the VanSlooten family for again organizing this event. 2021 Boat parade winners shown above.

Saturday, July 16th | annual meeting

Stan Tekiela | http://www.naturesmart.com

11:00 am is the annual LLPOA meeting. Come meet your lake neighbors and make new friends. Our speaker will be Stan Tekiela, well known naturalist, photographer, and author. Bird house building for the kids and great food (don't need to bring anything) for all. Add it to your calendar now!

Calling all photographers! As the annual meeting will feature a well-known wildlife photographer with the topic being local birds, we are hoping many of you can find some birds right here around Lone Lake, photograph them, and send them to us to be used for a display at the annual meeting and in future newsletters. We all hope the bird flu has not interrupted your enjoyment of those song birds outside your window. Grab the camera/phone and send us the photo of what you see.


Saturday, September 10th

Thanks to the Super Seven who squeezed in some road clean-up time on a windy, cool May morning. Now is the time to mark Saturday, September 10th on your calendar for the annual fall road clean-up. Better yet, when out for a summer stroll, please take a garbage bag with you. Thanks for sharing the joy! (Let us know with a photo or email that you have helped keep our surrounding roads clean.)

Saturday, June 18

The Aitkin County Rivers and Lakes Exposition returns. Bigger and better than before Covid, the 2022 event will be at the Long Lake Conservation Center. Want to share some volunteer hours? They are still in need.

Ospreys Wild, conservationist President Teddy Roosevelt will be there to discuss our conservation needs, free canoeing, all supplies provided, will be available from 9am-2pm.

9:30-11:30 will bring Dr. Lackman from UMD to share information about the native MN fish that lives to over 100 years of age.

More information is available on the Aitkin County Rivers and Lakes Fair Facebook page.


Shoreline Protection

Now that the water is rising, shoreline protection may be on your mind again. LLPOA has a grant to share with property owners as requested when shorelines need repair. Of course easier to keep it protected than to start from scratch, but let us know with an email if you would like some assistance. Huge thanks as well to the volunteers who always show up to help.


water clarity and depth

Water…..what we all need and want in our lake and why our cabin is located where it is. The June Secchi disc reading was a clarity of 27’. (Know that 5'-10' is most lakes is considered good.) In 2021, the lake dropped more than a foot through the summer. In May, 2022, the lake rose about 6”. A topic we can’t do much about, but we learn to appreciate what our location on the lake allows us to have.

Well sampling planned in Aitkin County for Groundwater Atlas

The information below is from the MN DNR news release. Perhaps you received an invitation to participate?

Ground Water Atlas program | Minnesota DNR

The results will be important to all of Aitkin county and we hope to have some participation from around our lake.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will collect water samples from about 90 wells in Aitkin County for use in the development of a Groundwater Atlas for the county.

Selected well owners will be contacted by mail or phone to request permission to sample their wells. The process involves collecting a water sample from an outside spigot or hydrant for laboratory analysis. Dozens of different water components are analyzed to determine the natural chemistry of aquifers. Participation is voluntary and owners will receive a report of the laboratory results for their well. Sample well locations are shown on the maps, but no contact or ownership information is included in the data.

Wells are selected based on geology, location, well depth and well construction. Participation will help hydrologists create county maps and descriptions of groundwater distribution, movement, conditions, and the pollution sensitivity of aquifers. Final materials will be available as printed maps, reports and geographic information system files available on the web.

The groundwater atlases are used to identify viable sources of drinking water, manage sustainability, guide decisions for well and septic system construction, inform well-head protection efforts for public water supply, understand regional recharge and groundwater movement, and assess pollution sensitivity and possible contaminant migration. Neither the well sampling nor the atlases are used to regulate individual well owners.

The Groundwater Atlas of Aitkin County is expected to be completed in 2025. This groundwater portion is Part B of a two-part series. Part A, the geology of Aitkin County, will be completed by the Minnesota Geological Survey in late 2022 or early 2023.

The County Atlas Program is funded in part by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.

A full description of this DNR program and completed atlas products are available on the Groundwater Atlas Program page of the DNR website.