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.

Tough Winter, Spring Coming?

Aitkin County Native Plant Offer

Aitkin County SWCD (Soil and Water Conservation District) is again offering a variety of native plants, trees, and shrubs for purchase. Orders, (including payment), are due by April 22. Pick-up is mid May. Check out their offers here

Sad LLPOA news

While it has been a long winter, it has become a sad winter for some LLPOA families.
Three property owners have passed away in recent weeks. Our thoughts and prayers for these and all Lone Lake families.

Karen Frazier, lot #111 on Oak Avenue, longtime LLPOA treasurer, organizer, always working for whatever lake association effort needed time and effort, and wife of LLPOA president Steve Frazier, died suddenly in mid February. Services will be this week. Use this link for information

John Ekstrand, lot #41 on 380th, passed away in mid January. A resident of Iowa, check this link from the Des Moines Register for more information.

Marilyn Backstrom, lot #83 on Oak Avenue, died earlier in February . Use this link for more information.

Willow Wattle projects completed for 2021

Installation at Gay VanSlooten’s home

Two September installation dates for the properties of Wetmore’s and Van Slooten’s were completed thanks to the help of Lone Lake volunteers, a grant from the SWCD of Aitkin County, and instruction from two master gardeners.

Take a boat ride past the properties on the NE and SE sides of the lake. Watch for the wooden stakes that are pounded into the massive bundles of saplings which will become part of the shoreline and help prevent further erosion along the banks. This keeps the soil, leaves, and other objects on the shore rather than making the water cloudier. In the future, watch for growth from the many native plant species that were planted inbetween the many tree branches/trunks.

Thinking of making your shoreline sturdier to prevent erosion from wind and waves? Native plants meant for areas such as lakeshore in this area will help keep the dirt on the shore. Click here to find a list of good plant choices for spring 2022 and beyond. Shelley Larson, naturalist in this article, is the professional with whom LLPOA works. These plants are the ones used in the two preservation efforts in 2021 and past years.

How will events such as the boat parade and triathlon be adjusted if/when Lone Lake has invasive species?

2021 was another challenging year for AIS inspections. Lone Lake did qualify for a grant to inspect on weekends and over the 4th of July week. Unfortunately, the county was challenged to find individuals to inspect watercraft at the public landings. As a result, not all lakes or time slots were covered. We have yet to receive a summary of the AIS inspection results but will forward it to the LLPOA members once it is completed.

Most of the property owners have removed their lifts, docks, and watercraft. We are fortunate to have additional shoreline to store the equipment this winter. Here is something we all can do right now to help keep our lake clean.

Now is a good time to spend 10 minutes and inspect the equipment for signs of zebra mussels.

An easy method to do this is to run your hand over a smooth edge of the dock/poles/feet, boat lift bars, or the bottom of a boat.

If you feel anything like sandpaper it could be a sign of zebra mussels. If anyone suspects they may have signs of zebra mussels, reach out to any of the LLPOA board and we can assist in inspecting the equipment or contact the DNR to report the situation. lonelakepoa@gmail.com

A new AIS species the state of MN and DNR are watching closely for signs of spreading is Starry Stonewort. These unwanted algae grow into thick bushes that can take over breeding areas for fish, overcome native vegetation, and disrupt a lake’s recreational activities.

Starry stonewort impacts:

• Dense mats at the water’s surface inhibit waterways and clog boat propellers.

• Overtakes habitat and outcompetes native aquatic plants, potentially lowering diversity.

• Provides unsuitable shelter, food, and nesting habitat for native fish and wildlife.

See this link for additional information on
Starry Stonewort - An Invasive Species We Need To Watch | Be Aware

Fall President's Letter

As the sun sets on another season on Lone Lake we would again like to do an end-of-the-year report from a number of us on the LLPOA Board of Directors.

As lake association president it was great to almost return to normal after the pandemic. The hot weather and drought did not hamper us in completing our entire LLPOA program and activities thoughout the summer.

Our membership and attendance at lake association events was the best that it has been in years. Hey, we even ran out of chairs at the annual meeting this year with 68 attending!

Thank you for your participation and continued support of our lake association. Also a big thank you to our Board of Directors with each of them doing their share to make this a successful year. A special shout-out to Beth-Anne Rowe for all our great newsletters and Bev Napurski our website and Facebook postings.

Steve Frazier
LLPOA President

End of year reports from LLPOA board members

Lone Lake facts and figures
Thanks to board member Dave Scott, we are always aware of how the health of Lone Lake can affect all of us and our investment.

Secchi disc (water clarity) 2021 summary***

Deepest reading June 4 @ 35’

Shallow reading July 21 @ 20.5’

Final reading September 30 @ 25’

***cloud cover, sun angle, lake usage, boat size/usage, weather, wind, day of the week all contribute to the readings

As a comparison, an average reading of 40’ in the 1980’s put Lone Lake in the top 10 for cleanest lakes in MN. Lone Lake is still clean, but no longer in the top echelon. What can each of us do to make sure 2022 brings lower phosphorous, less algae, and no swimmer’s itch to Lone Lake?

NOW is the time to: clean your lakeshore of any dead matter. Remember that phosphorus comes from dead plant matter. Fewer leaves means less phosphorus and a cleaner lake. Rake that border of dead leaves away from the shoreline now. Thanks

Lake Levels

Water levels have been an issue throughout the drought of 2021. As in the past, lake levels will rise and fall. Photos and the lake history show this year not to be so different from drought years in the 2021 Fish and Wildlife Update

Clearing of Lone Lake overflow obstructions

Due to the drought there has been no water in the overflow, consequently daily inspections have been halted for the season. (Overflow is located at the northwest end of the lake)

Loons

There are two mating loon couples on our lake but there were no baby loons reported this year

Lone Lake Fish Assessments/Restocking

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the DNR did not stock Lone Lake with walleye fry this year. The Minnesota DNR does assessments/surveys every few years to determine quantity and size of fish species found in a particular body of water, this determines the quantity and size of fish, (only walleye for Lone Lake) that are needed for restocking of fish. The next scheduled assessment/survey for Lone Lake is scheduled for 2022 but because no walleye fry were restocked in 2020 the lake survey may be postponed. The next regularly scheduled survey is for 2024.

Information on how and why the Minnesota DNR Section of Fisheries does lake surveys can be found on the following Minnesota DNR website.

Thanks to Zint Kics for the fish and wildlife leadership and summary. Water levels will come back up but when cannot be predicted.

Keep in mind lakeshore owners can only change their structures on the property, not their lakeshore or the lake. Clean water was the definition of Lone Lake and a goal continuing today.

Planning and Zoning Team

We had a calm year on Lone Lake in terms of Planning and Zoning. We only had one incident relating to having commercial camping and RV sites on a lake property but the new Planning and Zoning Administrator Andrew Carlstrom declared it in violation of zoning requirements and the owner was told to cease and desist.

It is always wise to check with Aitkin Planning and Zoning if you are planning on making changes to your property all the way from tree removal to new construction or renovations.

Steve Frazier - Planning and Zoning Team Leader

LLPOA Treasurer’s Update

Thank you for your membership in the LLPOA. This year we had 129 lakeshore residents join and/or renew their membership.

I want to thank all the membership volunteers for their neighborly door to door contacts for memberships (we need more volunteers for 2022, a great way to meet others on the lake). A special thanks to Bev Napurski for her help in updating the 2021 Roster which is now posted on-line for members. We hope you received the updated version. If not, please contact us at lonelakepoa@gmail.com

Thanks to your membership dues, we currently have some funds in reserve to keep Lone Lake ready when we may become one of “those” lakes that find an invasive species has infiltrated our lake.

We also contribute to:

First Responders of Aitkin County (all of us may need them at some point)

ACLARA, the Aitkin County group that shares information on keeping lakes clean

Research on lake management

Lake inspections

The Rivers and Lakes Festival in June, 2022.

We provide bags for road clean-up

2021--all the food at the annual meeting in July due to pandemic issues.

Most of all, we need to be prepared for the AIS issue.

Help us all by always checking your boat and working with the inspectors at the landing. If you desire more detailed financial information, please email us at lonelakepoa@gmail.com. Thank you so much.

Karen Frazier, LLPOA Treasurer

President's Letter by Steve Frazier

The work of the LLPOA continues after our wonderfully attended annual meeting and we would like to bring you up to date following topics and events:

Fall Road Clean-up Saturday, September 11th

Current Water Concerns Around the Lake

LLPOA Lakeshore Restoration Grant

Neighbors Pitch-in to Help the Grev Family

Plans for 2022

Fall Road Clean-up Saturday, September 11th

The last LLPOA event of the season is the fall road clean-up to be held on Saturday, September 11th at 9AM at the public beach. Coffee and rolls, donated again to us by Paulbeck’s, will be served and a chance for neighbors to connect. Cleaning areas will be set-up and a group photo taken for the LLPOA newsletter and Facebook posting. This is a fun and easy way to end the summer and a great way to keep the area around Lone Lake beautiful. Come join us and bring family and friends.

Current Water Concerns Around the Lake

There are several current water concerns that we would like to share with members. First is the low water level of the lake. David Scott, our Water Quality Team Leader, has let us know that the lake is now down over 14” due to the drought. Water clarity, the Secchi Disk reading, is at 23’, down from 35’ at the beginning of the summer season.

Secondly, with the lower lake levels, we would like to remind members that when they are cruising the lake, please stay well out from the shore to prevent damage to the lake bottom. We know that prop wash effects the lake bottom sediment and vegetation if less than 15 feet of depth.

Third, due to lower lake levels taking boats out at the public landing will be more difficult this fall. Also because of powering-up of boats coming out of the lake there is a depression right off the ramp. According to F.I.R.M., fishing boats and pontoons shouldn’t have too much difficulty getting out but larger ski boats and wake boats should consider getting out because if their boat trailer goes off the ramp into the depression they could sheer an axel in trying to get out. So be careful not to go off the ramp when taking out your boats.

Fourth and finally we have complaints about personal watercraft violation of operating before MN state law of 9:30AM and after the hour before sunset which is currently 8:07PM. Let’s all work to be good neighbors

LLPOA Lakeshore Restoration Grant

The LLPOA has a $3000 Grant from Aitkin Soil and Water for lakeshore restoration. On Saturday, July 24th Shelly Larson and her intern Laura Hendrickson accompanied by David Scott, Karen and Steve Frazier toured four of the six member lots that had expressed an interest in naturalizing and sustaining their shorelines. Shelly assessed the needs of each property and will submit an estimate of the cost to the LLPOA. Once the estimates are in a member participation team(s) will be assembled along with the lot owners to help with the plantings and willow-wattle shoreline wave protection structures. Watch for upcoming announcements for Shoreline Restoration work teams. The LLPOA thanks David Scott for his work of organizing this effort to help preserve and improve the beauty of Lone Lake.

Thank you LLPOA Members for your support of our lake association through your memberships and providing sweat-equity in our association’s many projects. Thanks again.

Neighbors Pitch-in to Help the Grev Family

Thanks to the 16 Lone Lake neighbors and friends that came on July 22 to mow, clear brush and debris, clean gutters and trim trees for Lone Lake neighbor Julian Grev.

Many hands make for small work. Thanks to: Kirstin Grev, Steve & Karen Frazier, Mustafa Bulut & Grandson, Julie & Jerry Nelson, neighbor, Kathryn Engdahl & Dean Frost, David Scott, Jeanie Thompson and friend Bill, Susan Saetra, and Mary Ann and Stephen Gmach. Steve and Karen Frazier thank all these people for their help in honoring Julian’s life in this small way.

LLPOA Sets 2022 Program Calendar

At the August 21st meeting of the LLPOA, the Board of Directors set the 2022 program calendar that runs from May to September. (Website Calendar). The Board also welcomed its newest member Mark Sauerbrey as a Director and thanked outgoing Director Maureen Sanford for her term on the Board. We want to thank all of you for your membership in the LLPOA as we had 120 sign-up and/or renew their memberships this year. Together we can enhance and preserve the health and beauty of Lone Lake for the future.

Steve Frazier-LLPOA President
See you on the lake!

Lakeside News

Lake levels Obvious to all, potentially harmful to your boats, toys, plant and wildlife, the lake levels continue to be heading downward. (How much the rain of the past week has run off into the lake is a work in progress.) Lake levels continue to be about 14” lower than spring 2021. Warm water temperatures this year allow additional growth of many wanted and unwanted species.

Docks and lifts all around the lake are in jeopardy of not being used. Word has gone around from some lake businesses to immediately check your ability to get your boat off the lift. Some residents can’t get their boat on the lift anymore, making for a short boating season.

Boats trolling too close to shore are now turning up the bottom levels of the lake. Your boat’s motor could have the ability to “mess with” something 15’ down. Keep that in mind when moving along the shoreline. Stay deeper than ever in recent memory.

If you employ a firm for dock/lift removal, the possibility exists they will be removing items early due to low water levels.

While your lakeshore seems extremely low this year, this level was common for many years during the 1900’s, most recently starting in 1988. Check your photos and notes from days gone by and please share some with us. We do know many areas of the lake previously were not water covered and had various uses including a crappie hatchery and a farm.

Something on the good side—-despite algae, etc. and regular August growth, Dave Scott reported the Secchi disc read 23’ last week. Could that be because you took the dead leaves and other matter off the public beach…..or your beach……you didn’t fertilize near the lake……you left a strip of unmowed growth along the lakeshore……you drove your boat responsibility, keeping in mind wave action on shorelines???

Most likely a combination of all, residents thank you for trying to keep Lone Lake clean.

Fall Road clean-up: Saturday, September 11. A good day to do a good deed and be thankful you are enjoying life 20 years later. Meet at the public beach @ 9a.m. for coffee and rolls provided by Paulbeck’s. IF you choose to clean a section of the ditches along Lone Lake before September 11, (County Road 28/Ditch Bank/290th Street, County Road 81/380th Avenue, Deer Street or Oak Avenue), please communicate that with us on Facebook or an email. Thanks and see you soon.

AIS—Aquatic Invasive Species. Most importantly, thank you to all who have donated to this fund or for an hour of inspection fees for our public landing. Every day we have an inspector on site is a good day for Lone Lake. County/state grant money will again be applied for in 2022 but nothing is ever guaranteed. Please be patient with inspectors asking you for information and checking your boat and trailer.

As fall approaches and you remove your docks and lifts, please check them carefully for anything that shouldn’t be there. Run your hand on all surfaces—feel it—-if it isn’t smooth, feeling more like sandpaper, there could be tiny AIS growth attached to your apparatus. Time to search online or ask the county for help.

Zebra mussels flourish in nearby lakes. Check your dock and lift, they may be using your lakeshore.

We are continuing to search for Lone Lake news and photos for days gone by. If you have knowledge or photos, please email us the information. Thanks. lonelakepoa@gmail.com