2014 Birch Lake Water Quality

VLAWMO has released the 2014 Water Quality Monitoring Program Report. It provides detailed monitoring data as well as an assessment of the water quality for 11 lakes, including Birch Lake, in the VLAWMO coverage area.  The data for Birch Lake are based on biweekly samples collected by Ron Auger and Jim Grisim.   

Birch Lake continues with a high water quality rating, receiving a B+ grade using the Metropolitan Council grading system.  The grade is based on secchi disk depth readings (water clarity), total phosphorous levels (nutrient level), and Chlorophyll A levels (algae level).  The B+ grade for Birch Lake is based on low total phosphorous and chlorophyll A levels as well as excellent water clarity.  Birch Lake’s shallow depth limits the maximum grade to B+!

                      VLAWMO Lake Grades

Lake	Grade	TSI Status
Amelia	B	Eutrophic
Birch	B+	Mesotrophic
Black	B+	Mesotrophic
Charlie	C	Eutrophic
Deep	C-	Eutrophic
Gem	B	Mesotrophic
Gilffilan	C+	Eutrophic
E. Goose	D-	Eutrophic - Hypereutrophic
W. Goose	D	Eutrophic
Tamarack	D	Eutrophic - Hypereutrophic
Wilkinson	C-	Eutrophic

The report indicates that Birch Lake has high chloride levels.  The chloride levels are the result of runoff from road salt on streets and parking lots for winter ice control.  While the chloride levels do not come close to exceeding regulatory standards, they will be closely monitored.  The impact of the use of road salt on urban lakes is an emerging environmental concern.

Click here to get a PDF of the full report.

2015 Winter Road Salt Symposium

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By Jim Grisim

In February, I attended the 14^th Annual Road Salt Symposium on behalf of the BLID. This symposium was sponsored by the Freshwater Society of MN.

The symposium was very informative and had some very knowledge speakers. Some of the presenters included:

-        Jim Gilbert, renown Naturalist

-        Brooke Asleson, Watershed Project Manager from the MN Pollution Control Division

-        By Satellite feed – Marta Ruiz-Llata, PhD, Professor, Madrid Spain

-        Carolyn Dindorf, Limnologist, Vice President, Fortin Consulting

-        MNDOT Operations Supervisor

-        Federal EPA Storm water Specialist

-        And other experts in storm water and road maintenance

There are many effects that road salt has on our streams, rivers, and lakes.  But also there are other environmental impacts and costs that road salt creates including:

-        Killing wildlife – birds, squirrels and other small animals that pick up looser salt and die of dehydration

-        Drawing deer and other animals out onto roads for the salt – causing increased car accidents and/or wildlife mortality

-        Killing or discoloring vegetation along the roads due to high chloride concentration in the soil

-        Increased crabgrass or other non-desirable plants that are more tolerant due to the high concentration of chloride in the soils

-        Killing of trees along roadways

-        Rust on vehicles

-        Deterioration of sewer lines and cement underlayment due to the salt

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The experts put the cost for the salt and labor to disperse it at $73 per ton for salt and $150 per ton for equipment and labor.  Per the environmental specialists, this $223 per ton cost goes up closer to $700-$800 per ton when you factor in all the other costs.  Therefore, there is a real incentive for local government public works and environmental groups to work together on reducing salt being placed on all roadways but especially ones along our waterways.

There are many Cities and Counties that already have a road salt reduction plan and monitoring program in place.  The BLID is working with our watershed, city, and county to find out what plans and programs we have in place.

2015 Winter Fish Survey Final Report

 

Blue Water Science has issued the final report on the fish survey that was conducted September 4 – 6, 2014.  The survey involved setting live fish traps at 6 locations around the lake.  The trapnets were monitored daily, contents logged and returned to the lake.  Information regarding number, species, weight and length was recorded.

Blue Water Science conducted the first fish survey on Birch Lake in 2011.  The 2011 survey found six species of fish compared to the eight species in 2014.  The major difference between the two surveys is the absence of largemouth bass in 2014.  The largemouth bass decline is attributed to the extreme ice and snow cover during the winter of 2013 – 2014.

The report has the following recommendations and future considerations:

·       In Birch Lake, northern pike are the dominant game fish, although their average length is relatively small.  Walleyes and perch have been stocked in the past and have not become established.  Future stocking of walleyes and perch are unnecessary at this time.

·       Stocking 2,000 largemouth bass in 2014 should reestablish the bass population and add another predator to the fish community.

·       Because sunfish currently spawn in the lake, the young fish should produce a forage base on an annual basis.  The fish carrying capacity of Birch Lake will be established naturally, which is a good long-term management strategy.

·       The winter aeration system is essential to maintain the existing fish community.  It is recommended that efforts continue to ensure proper operation of the winter aeration system.

·       Water quality remains good in Birch Lake and fishing has the potential to be very good for pan fish and largemouth bass.  In three to four years another fish survey should be conducted to evaluate conditions and re-evaluate recommendations.

2015 Lake Clean Up - Saturday May 2

Mark Your Calendars for May 2, 2015!

Plan to join your neighbors in the annual lake clean up scheduled for May 2, 2015.  This is a great way to rid the lakeshore and walkways of the litter that has built up over the winter.  An hour of your time will go a long way in beautifying the lake! 

2015 Meeeting Calendar

Here is a list of action dates for the BLID through 2015:

 
February

02-12-15 – Mailing of meeting materials to board members (1 week prior)

02-19-15 -- Quarterly board meeting (third Thursday in February)

April

04-09-15 – Mailing of meeting materials to board members

04-16-15 -- Spring Board meeting

May

05-01-15 -- Send harvesting permit to DNR for 2015 harvesting
05-01-15 -- Post card notice to BLID members RE Annual Meeting / elections

05-02-15 – Lake Clean Up

05-29-15 -- Mailing of meeting materials to board members (1 week prior)

June
06-04-15 -- Publish notice of annual meeting (2 weeks in advance)
06-04-15 -- Quarterly board meeting (first Thursday in June)
06-17-15 -- Annual meeting (third Wednesday in June)
06-23-15 -- 9th (of 10) $300 easement payment to Oyinloye

July

07-01-15 -- Renew Julie Yoho's contract

August

08-01-15 -- Premium due for BLID umbrella policy
08-01-15 -- Meet to determine last date for weed harvesting (first Sat. in Aug.)

08-20-15 – August Board meeting

September

09-10-15 -- Mailing of meeting materials to board members (1 week prior)

09-17-15 -- Quarterly board meeting (third Thursday in September)
09-30-15 -- Aerator permit application due

October

10-01-15 -- Letter to WBL City Council submitting 2015 budget (earlier preferred)

10-18-15 -- Annual report due (4 months after annual meeting)
10-29-15 -- Mailing of meeting materials to board members (1 week prior)

November

11-05-15 – Quarterly board meeting (first Thur. in November)

Meeting notice requirements are complied with by posting the dates on the White Bear Lake City Hall bulletin board.

Board Minutes February 19 2015

Call to order at 7:10 PM with the following members present:  Dale Bacon, Steve Laliberte, and Tom Merritt.  Jim Grisim and Ryan Hoops absent.

Motion (Laliberte/Merritt) Move to approve agenda.  Motion carried.

Approval of the minutes  -

Motion: (Laliberte/Merritt) Move to approve the November 6, 2014 minutes.  Motion carried.

Review Treasurer’s Report

Motion: (Bacon,Laliberte) to approve report.  Carried.

Status Reports

Unbuildable Lot Status

There is an unbuildable lot on the south east corner of the lake.  The lot is in tax default.

Memory Care Unit Status

A building permit has been requested.

Fish Survey Report Complete

Results have been circulated. 

Aerator Status

Concerns expressed about aerator safety.  Additional signs were placed.  No action taken.

Communication Strategy

The blog has been updated with 2013 and 2014 minutes and the Fall 2014 newsletter.  There is a desire to change the blog URL to birchlakeimprovementdistrict.org.  We will create a group on facebook for birchlakeimprovementdistrict.  The group will be closed but listed.  Participants request to join.

Harvester Update

We need to begin to research a new storage location.  The city may not be an option in the future.  We need to draft a contract with Aspen for service provided this year for cutting and maintenance.

Sediment Survey

Motion: (Merritt/Laliberte) Move to approve up to $1,500.00 for sediment survey with Blue Water Science.  Motion carried.

Motion: Move to Adjourn (Merritt, Laliberte) – Motion Carried.  Adjourned at 8:10 PM.

Next Meeting:  April 16, 2015

Minutes prepared by Steve Laliberte.

Fall 2014 Aquatic Plant Harvesting

Aspen Outdoor Services completed the weed harvesting on Birch Lake during the first week of August.  Prior to the harvesting activity, Aspen also refitted the conveyor system on the harvester with new conveyor tracks.

This year, the harvesting activity consisted of opening homeowner access where needed, removal of dead plant material, and cutting and removing nuisance vegetation. The focus was on improving the recreational value of the lake while maintaining the aquatic habitat.  The higher than normal high water level helped to reduce the amount of nuisance vegetation that needed to be cut.

Harvested plant material was deposited at the Ramsey County Composting facility.