Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Fall 2015 Lake Level Report


The 3+ inches of rain in mid-September topped off another of banner year of high water levels in Birch Lake.  The level reading of 920.22 ft msl*  (taken on September 22, 2015) was about the fourth highest for late September in the last 25 years!  The lowest level recorded in 2015 was 919.30 ft msl on May 1, and the highest was 920.44 ft msl on July 21. The lowest recorded September level was in 2009 when the lake level dropped to 916.93!
What does all of this mean?  From a practical perspective, it’s going to be a little harder (especially for those of us that are height challenged!) to take out the dock!  The lake is almost a foot deeper than when the dock was put in this spring!
The higher water level points to less of the chance for a freeze out and the potential of winter fish kill.  More importantly, the lake level drops a couple of inches over the winter, resulting in high levels at ice out.  Generally speaking, high levels at ice out, coupled with a normal rainfall, result in high levels during the summer months.  Obviously there are other complex factors and interactions (well above my understanding) that can influence this:  evaporation, transpiration, wind speed, direction, temperature, hours of sunlight and others.
Bottom line, the high levels going into the winter bode well for next year!

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Fall 2015 Photo Corner

This is a new feature.  Birch Lake is beautiful!  We all see it.  How many times do you take out your phone or camera and snap a picture.

Now you can share them.

The Photo Corner is a new section that will share your moment with our Birch Lake community.

Here are some submission over the summer.

Sunset from Ryan Hoops


From Dale Bacon 




Steve Laliberte - Daddy Loon



Send your photos to slaliberte@sorttosspack.com

Fall 2015 A Rejuvenated Harvester

Look for something new on the waters of Birch Lake next year!  As a part of the multiyear rehabilitation project, the harvester was painted a light blue, replacing the faded green.  The paint job was completed by Capitol Town Painting.  The entire harvester was pressure washed and sand blasted prior to the application of a two-part marine epoxy paint.  During the sand blasting process about 4 layers of paint were removed before reaching the original paint!  
The last part of the project will be the evaluation of the harvester hydraulic hoses, and, if needed, their replacement.  This should happen during the next couple of months.
The harvester was purchased from the City of Forest Lake in about 2006.  The exact age of the harvester is unknown, but estimates put it at about 40 years!   It is hoped that with the completion of the project it will be good for another 40!

Before





After



Fall 2015 VLAWMO Needs Your Help!


VLAWMO is in the process of upgrading its Water Plan.  It is looking for public input and has developed a brief stakeholder survey. The BLID Board encourages members to participate in this online survey.  It can be reached at http://www.vlawmo.org/resources/why-water-matters/


Fall 2015 Chairman's Corner

By Dale Bacon


The ninth annual meeting of the Birch Lake Improvement district was held on June 17, 2015, at White Bear Lake City Hall.  A near-record 24 district members were in attendance. 
Chairman Bacon reviewed the highlights of 2014 – 2015.  In addition to a review of operational items such as weed harvesting and aerator operation, special emphasis was placed on the following topics.
  •   Board members participated in a wide range of conferences, such as the Road Salt Symposium and the Shallow Lakes Conference.  This is all a part of an effort to stay abreast of emerging regulatory and scientific issues. 
  •   BLID is supporting VLAWMO to conduct water sampling and analysis to establish a chloride base level for Birch Lake.  This will enable BLID to monitor the lake for potential road salt impacts.
  •  The BLID blog site has been updated.  Members were encouraged to visit it at Birchlakeimprovementdistrict.org.  The blog serves as the repository of BLID related information and is upgraded on a regular basis.

The fish survey was completed on September 6, 2014.  It demonstrated that the only fish species impacted by the 2013-2014 winter kill was the largemouth bass.

The lake was stocked with 2,000 largemouth bass on October 16, 2014.  We should see results in 2016!
Special items in the 2015 -2016 plan include updating the BLID’s 2008 Sustainable Lake Management Plan, conducting a lake sediment survey, conducting a member survey, and painting the harvester.
The membership approved the 2016 budget of $13,000.  This will be presented for approval by the White Bear Lake City Council on October 27, 2015.
Tom Merritt was re-elected to a 3-year term on the board.  Tom serves as BLID treasurer.
Following the business meeting, Chip Welling, coordinator of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Invasive Plant Control program, gave a presentation on DNR programs to control aquatic invasive species.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Board of Director's Meeting September 17, 2015

 
Call to order at 7:03 PM with the following members present:  Dale Bacon, Steve Laliberte, Ryan Hoops, Jim Grisim, Tom Merritt.

Motion: (Grisim/Merritt) Move to approve agenda.  Motion carried.

Approval of the minutes
Motion: (Grisim/Merritt) Move to approve the July 15, 2015 minutes.  Motion carried.

Review Treasurer’s Report
Motion: (Laliberte/Hoops) Move to accept report.  Motion carried.

Al Cook Request for Birch Lake PUD Restriction
Mr. Cook is seeking BLID support in a modification to the Birch Cove PUD to allow a motorized boat. 

Motion: (Laliberte/Hoops)   
Each taxable unit of the BLID is entitled to one dock and one restricted watercraft.

A restricted watercraft is defined as any boat or vessel for use on or stored on the public waters on the lake except for unrestricted watercraft.  An unrestricted watercraft is defined as a boat or vessel that is:

1) 16’ or less in length and has no motor; or

2) 16’ or less in length and  has a motor of 10 horsepower or less, as rated by the manufacturer at the time of manufacturer, whether or not the motor is operational; or

3) 20’ or less in length and has no motor, and that is propelled solely by human power

Motion: failed.

Motion: (Grisim/Merritt) BLID supports the lake use restriction currently in effect in both Birch Cove and Cloisters associations for the long term benefit of the lake. 
Motion carried.

Reports
VLAMO Technical Commission
VLAMO is working on long term plan.  The rain garden fund has disbursed $18,000.  VLAMO is using new testing equipment to measure flow and nutrients. 

Blue Water Science Plant/Sediment Survey
An inspection was performed last week.  Milfoil is present but not increasing. 

Wetlands Restoration – There is a  lot on the North East corner that the city has an environmental easement.  We are seeking a joint project with VLAMO, BLID and White Bear Lake to restore the area to control water entering into the lake.

Harvester Maintenance
The hydraulic lines are cracked and close to leaking.   We have received a bid to replace the lines.  
Motion: (Hoops/Grisim) Approve $4,400 to replace the hoses on the harvester.  Motion Carried.

Motion: Move to Adjourn (Merritt, Laliberte) – Motion Carried.  Adjourned at 8:43 PM.

Next Meeting:  November 5, 2015

Minutes prepared by Steve Laliberte.