Fall Photo Contest Winners!

Thank you to everyone that took the time to send in their wonderful pictures of the Chain for the "Fall Photo Contest"!
Our board enjoyed all of the images, it was hard narrowing it down to three winners.
Congratulations, Kerry Johnson Bechtold, Malissa Mauricio and Jennifer Dietman! We hope you enjoy your SRCLA apparel!

MN Lakes and Rivers Webinar Recording Now Available

Minnesota Lakes and Rivers (MLR) recently conducted a webinar that focused on efforts to improve the condition of the state's shorelines. Speakers included:

💦 Paul Radomski from the Ecological and Water Resources Division, who shared insights into the scientific tools we’re using to protect shorelines.

💦 Kirsti Marohn from Minnesota Public Radio, who discussed her reporting this summer on the issue of vanishing shorelines.

💦 Sue Henken-Thielen, who shared her experiences as a dedicated Lake Steward.

💦 Steve Corbin, one of our valued shoreline evaluators.

The webinar provides a lot of useful information, including insights into the Lake Steward program, which the SRCLA board sponsors along with many other lake associations around the state.

You can view a recording of the webinar via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa4O-7RtHao

Stearns County Planning Meeting Rescheduled

The Minnesota DNR is considering the possibility of restructuring the Cold Spring Dam, replacing the fixed barrier with a natural spillway. This has been done on other MN rivers recently, including the South Fork Crow River in Hutchinson, Pelican Rapids, and the Mississippi at Cass Lake   Potential benefits include more stable lake levels and restoring the ability of fish to migrate upstream.

The first step would be to conduct a survey to assess potential effects, both positive and negative. The SRCLA board supports the proposal to conduct a survey, although support for replacing the dam would depend upon the results of the survey.

A meeting to discuss this had been scheduled for Wednesday, October 23rd with the Cold Spring City Council and representatives from the DNR and Stearns County. Due to conflicts, the meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, December 11th at 6:00 pm in the City Council chambers. This meeting is open to the public, and the SRCLA will publish periodic updates about the proposal via our website and social media channels.

For more infomation, check out the Cold Spring Dam section on our Projects page.

MNLR Sept Post

Check out the September posting from Minnesota Lakes and Rivers (MLR)!  It has an update on the research being conducted by the University of MN's St. Anthony Falls Lab (SAFL) on wake dynamics on shorelines and lake beds.  The final report has been delayed until early 2025 to allow late-breaking data to be included, but this month's report has some interesting information about what has been learned so far.

There's also a fascinating article about Bigmouth Buffalo, a native Minnesota species with lifespans that can exceed humans, although there's growing evidence of how few hatchlings reach adulthood, putting the species at risk long-term.

And of course, there's an update on the Lake Steward program, which the SRCLA has been promoting on our Chain for the past three years.

Check out the full post here.

And Then There Were Seven!

Congratulations to Sheila on Little Cedar Island Lake, whose shoreline has qualified for the Lake Steward program! Sheila recently replaced 60 feet of turf grass along her shoreline with native grasses and wildflowers, helping to reduce nutrient runoff into the Chain.

Several other parcels are being evaluated as possible Lake Steward sites. We'd love to have you take the quiz to see if your property qualifies: https://mnlakesandrivers.org/lake-associations/lake-association-programs/lake-steward/

Join the club!

You’re Invited!

Join MNLR to celebrate the incredible work of Lake Stewards and discover how YOU can get involved in preserving water quality from your own yard!

Hear how Lake Stewards are protecting our lakes.

The Lake Steward Webinar will include firsthand stories from passionate Lake Steward property owners and shoreline evaluators dedicated to preserving the beauty and health of our lakes. Representatives from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will also share their expertise on vital collaborative efforts to preserve Minnesota’s waterways.

Whether you’re a lakeshore property owner or simply love our environment, this is your chance to learn about the impacts of this exceptional program and gear up for next summer!

Save the date! October 15th, 2024 6:00-7:30pm (CDT)

Let’s celebrate our Lake Stewards together!

Don’t miss this opportunity to be inspired and learn how you can help safeguard the stunning lakes that define our beautiful state!

Together, we can protect the beauty of our lakes. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be part of the change!

Learn more here: MLR Lake Steward Webinar

It is a GORGEOUS time of year and we have the perfect subject - the Chain of Lakes.

We'd like to showcase the beauty of the Chain of Lakes through a Fall Photo Contest. Submit your best photos of the Chain by October 14th.  

All submissions must come through our Facebook page and be centered around the Chain of Lakes as the subject.  No limit on the number of submissions.

SRCLA members and non-members can submit. 

What could you win?  The SRCLA Board will select the top three submissions and those three will have their choice of available SRCLA apparel!

All submissions may be spotlighted on SRCLA.org 

Fall 2023 Winner - photo by Susan Drucker

Road Clean Up October 26

The Sauk River Chain of Lakes Association will be conducting its fall "Adopt a Highway Cleanup" on Saturday October 26. We will meet at 9am at the Horseshoe Lake Public Landing just off Highway 22 in Richmond.  Our stretch of road cleanup extends from the public landing South to Cozy Corners Resort. We invite you to participate to help remove litter from this stretch of highway that borders 5 of the lakes on the chain.  If we can get 10-15 volunteers we can accomplish the cleanup process in less than 2 hours.  If you are able to participate drop an email to Wayne Karg at ontraxtruckrepair@embarqmail.com so if any updates are necessary you can be alerted. I look forward to greeting and meeting you as we complete this task helping to keep litter out of our lakes.

Please watch this short educational video from the MN DOT prior to the clean up day. This video is also on our SRCL Educational Videos page.

Gambling Season Opener!

Our biggest fundraisers start back up next week - all at Shady's Long Shots!

• Horse Racing is on Sundays at 1 starting Oct. 6

• Bingo starts back up on Wednesdays at 6:30 starting Oct 16 (we start selling packs at 6)

• Our Meat Raffle is at 6 on Fridays and that starts up on Oct 18

Check the SRCLA Calendar for more dates!

How Well Do you Know Minnesota? Part 5

There are so many water quality issues for which there is no simple solution. But the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species has a simple solution - if everyone thoroughly Cleaned, Drained and Dried their boats and water related equipment after each use, and then inspected it prior to each use in a new water body, AIS would not spread. This is why education is the cornerstone of all efforts to protect our lakes and rivers from aquatic invasive species."~Jeff Forester, Executive Director, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates.

Seeking Feedback: Channel Catfish Regulation

Association members - Do you have feedback regarding the channel catfish regulation on the Chain of Lakes?  

The DNR is seeking comments regarding the review of the current Experimental fishing regulation for channel catfish on the Chain.

 A little history, channel catfish were stocked into Horseshoe and Cedar Island lakes from 1976 – 1988 in an effort to decrease the abundance of bullheads and black crappie with the goal of increasing the growth of black crappie. While abundance of both species decreased, the abundance of channel catfish increased to point that the DNR was receiving complaints regarding their abundance. Starting March 1, 2015, the channel catfish possession limit was increased from five to 10 while allowing one fish > 24” in the possession limit.  

Since 2013, data indicates that the channel catfish population (based on gill net data) has been decreasing from a high of 27.4/net in 2013 to 3.9/net in 2024. However, the average size has increased from 16.6 inches and 1.4 lbs. in 2013 to 21.7 inches and 3.7 lbs. in 2024. Angler surveys conducted between December 2014 and October 2015 indicated that about 50% of all catfish caught were released indicating that harvest is unlikely the cause of the population decrease. DNR ageing data also found that this population is an ageing population with 82% of the population being age-10 or older indicating that these fish are starting to age out of the population.

.Your input is appreciated and can be submitted via engage.DNR.state.mn.us as well as by emailing Area Fisheries Manager Joe Stewig at joe.stewig@state.mn.us. Input will be received through 10/11/2024.  The DNR will make a decision in November with any changes being implemented March 1, 2025.

Lake Level Update

As you know lake levels across the chain have stabilized and are almost to normal high water levels.

You can always view the current status here: https://srcl.org/water-level-horseshoe

Enjoy a safe and relaxing Holiday weekend!

MPR Series On MN Shorelines

Kirsti Mahron, a correspondent for MPR News who covers central Minnesota, has been working on a series of articles and on-air segments focusing on diminishing natural shorelines on upper Midwest lakes and the environmental impact of highly-developed shorelines on water quality. A number of segments have been released, including one that highlights a shoreline project on Great Northern Lake on our very own Chain!  Keep checking this link as MPR will be releasing additional segments in the near future (click here to view).

Shoreland Owner Training for AIS Prevention

Shoreland owners play an integral part in AIS prevention by understanding the risks their watercraft and shoreline equipment like docks, lifts and rafts pose when moving from one waterbody. This training video lays out the best practices each of us can take to mitigate the risks to protect our resources for future generations.

Cold Spring Dam Update

SRCLA members brought up concerns about the effectiveness of the Cold Spring Dam after the flooding and lake-level volatility in 2022 and 2023. The SRCLA began working with stakeholders like the DNR (owners of the dam), Stearns County, the Sauk River Watershed District, Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District (SCSWCD), and others to examine the state of the Cold Spring Dam. The following links show the evolution of that discussion starting with the DNR's initial response and ending with the SRCLA's support of a SCSWCD feasibility study of potentially changing the existing dam into a rock arch rapids-type dam.
DNR's Iinitial Response (Jan 2024)
SWCLA Letter of Support (July 2024)
Below are several examples of similar projects. For more examples see the Projects page.

Blue Green Algae reported on the Chain

It's that time of year to watch out for blue green algae on Minnesota lakes! Learn more about blue green algae and how to reduce your risks from harmful algae blooms HERE.

How Well Do you Know Minnesota? Part 4

There are so many water quality issues for which there is no simple solution. But the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species has a simple solution - if everyone thoroughly Cleaned, Drained and Dried their boats and water related equipment after each use, and then inspected it prior to each use in a new water body, AIS would not spread. This is why education is the cornerstone of all efforts to protect our lakes and rivers from aquatic invasive species."~Jeff Forester, Executive Director, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates.

Minnesota Public Lands Chapter of Pheasants Forever Hosting event 9/8

The Minnesota Public Lands Chapter of Pheasants Forever is hosting on September 8th.
Questions? Contact Abi Parker, Education & Outreach Coordinator, Office: 320-352-2231, Direct: 320-527-1051, abigail@srwdmn.org

A note about the recent rainfall…

From Steve Weeres, SRCLA Board Member: Due to the recent heavy rain the SRCL level has gone up 1 foot since 7/30.

The river stage at St Martin crested on Tuesday afternoon and is starting to drop. There is a picture of the current river level is below. The lake level should crest 1-2 days later.

An expected maximum level would be around 1088.3 feet on Thursday and then it should begin to drop, based on historical data.

Be sure to monitor the lake level at srcl.org.