Upper Hay Lake Association P.O. Box 769 Pequot Lakes, Minnesota 56472
Summer Newsletter July 2023 Page 1
Greetings from Your President!
Upper Hay Lake had an interesting 4th of July celebration this year. Thanks to all of you who
participated in our sixth boat parade. We counted twenty-one entries. Unfortunately Mother Nature won out in the end and we had to race off the lake to get out of the downpour rain and wind. I was impressed with the festive decorations and wonderful holiday spirit while it lasted.
I am pleased to announce that we have two new members on the Upper Hay Lake Association
Board. Jack Woodruff replaced Bob Braun after serving as an interim for one year and Brad Kaus volunteered to replace Mickey Perwien. A thank you to Mickey for serving several years on the board. We are excited to have two new board members who will add “fresh” ideas to our lake association.
Greg Murphy has volunteered to collect samples of water for the Zebra mussel veligers and
Spiny Water-flea. So far Upper Hay Lake has not shown any changes with veligers which is a
good thing. Neil Beaverson has volunteered to take an AIS training class and sample our lake three times this summer for Starry Stonewort. The effort of volunteers for our lake is much appreciated. If everyone takes their turn, we can continue to keep Upper Hay Lake a beautiful place to be.
Please remind your guests to keep their distance from the shoreline. I have had some residents
talk to me about the boats coming too close to the shoreline. It is important that we all do our
part in protecting the shoreline of Upper Hay Lake.
Thursday, August 4th,, is the date for the Upper Hay Lake Burger Night at the Pequot Lakes
American Legion. We will begin at 5:30 PM. Burgers will be furnished by the Upper Hay Lake
Association. We hope to see you there!
Enjoy your summer on Upper Hay Lake!
–Claire Steen
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UHLA TO HOST A BURGER NIGHT ON AUGUST 4TH AT THE AMERICAN LEGION IN PEQUOT LAKES
UHLA will host the second annual Burger Night on August 4, 2022 at the American Legion in Pequot Lakes at 5:30 P.M. Registration begins at 5:30 P.M. Food orders can also be made at that time. UHLA will provide complimentary hamburger meals and frozen treats during the event. Everyone is invited to chat with their Beach Captains and neighbors. It will be an excellent opportunity to share concerns and socialize with other members on the lake. A brief business meeting will follow the meal. Plan on attending this event because it replaces the picnic again this year.
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BEACH CAPTAINS NOW AVAILABLE
A Beach Captain is the Go-To person who welcomes new neighbors, conveys concerns to the Board, and notifies their neighbors of pertinent information regarding the lake. These members have volunteered to serve as Beach Captains for the Upper Hay Lake Association:
South East side = Cindy Rieck (218-568-8272)
South West side = Greg Murphy (218-330-7980)
West side = Neil Beaverson (651-429-2023)
East side = Volunteer Needed
North side = Jack Woodruff (612-802-2024)
CHAT WITH OUR BEACH CAPTAINS AT THE BURGER NIGHT ON AUGUST 4TH!
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BEAVERSON TO SAMPLE UPPER HAY LAKE FOR SPINY WATERFLEA
Neil Beaverson will be sampling for spiny water-fleas and zebra mussel veligers between July 14th end of the month(one time only). There will be samples taken from three locations in Upper Hay Lake near the inlet, outlet and northeast quadrant. The samples will be taken in water greater than 10 ft deep. The samples will be condensed via filtration and preserved with isopropyl alcohol. I will also be sampling for starry-stonewort at that time and again in August and September. I will have more details after July 14th when I go to training with the Crow Wing County Environmental Services / MNDNR.
Several years ago zebra mussel veligers were found in Upper Hay lake; but for whatever reason they were not found in the following years and no
one has reported zebra mussels on docks, boats or lifts in Upper Hay Lake.
Spiny water-fleas and zebra mussels are animals and starry stone-wart is a plant. The veliger is the larva stage equivalent of the zebra mussel which is a shellfish.
There are water fleas that are native to North America(NA) but they are not “spiny” and are an important part of the food chain in lakes The spines on the invasive water-fleas make them unpalatable to fish that are native to NA and can out-compete the native fleas due to this advantage.
The zebra mussels out-compete the native mussels and in severe cases, can actually improve clarity in the water. However, this throws off the entire ecosystem and is not a desirable way to improve water clarity.
The starry stonewort can produce a dense mat on the bottom of lakes and choke out the native vegetation.
— Neil Beaverson
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REGARDING SPINY THE WATERFLEA SAMPLING PROGRAM – THE FOLLOWING IS PART OF AN E-MAIL SENT ON JUNE 29, 2022:
The County’s AIS prevention plan identifies that 25 lakes can be sampled for Zebra Mussels veliger and Spiny Water-flea that are uninfested by designated AIS. Also, 10 lakes can be sampled for Spiny Water-flea that are uninfested by designated AIS. We do not plan on holding a training session in 2022. If you are new to testing, I am suggesting you speak to your lake association “neighbors” who may have done this in the past. Crow Wing County will pay for one sample on your lake this summer, unless a special specific arrangement has already been made with the County that is different. If you would like to collect additional samples beyond the one, please contact RMB Lab to get an account set up: Jeff Kasowski, Jeff.Kasowski@rmbel.info, 218-846-1465. The samples cost $85.00 each for Zebra mussel veliger testing and an additional $31.00 each for Spiny water-flea identification.
Sample Collection:
Please collect your sample anytime between July 5th – July 29th . This window of time is when Zebra mussel veligers and Spiny Water-flea are most abundant in infested lakes, so it gives us the best time for catching any that would be in the lake. Please remember to condense your sample as much as possible and then add at least 3 parts alcohol to 1 part per sample. The sample needs to be properly preserved to last until identification at the lab (in alcohol).
Sample Delivery: Please drop off your sample at the Crow Wing County Land Services Building by noon on August 1st.
Nicole Erickson
Environmental Services Coordinator
Office: (218) 824-1010
Direct: (218) 824-1142
Land Services
322 Laurel Street Suite 15
Brainerd, MN 56401
— excerpts from an e-mail sent on June 29, 2022 by Nicole Erickson
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Wake Awareness
Almost every motorboat can create a wake, which is why boaters must be aware of the danger wakes present and the damage they can do. While common courtesy dictates boaters should control their wakes, there are consequences beyond how wakes may affect people. So, what do boaters really need to know when it comes to owning their wake?
Under Minnesota law, the damage your wake causes is treated the same as damage caused by an actual collision. Personal watercraft (PWC) must stay at least 150 feet from shore. There is no required distance for boats, but by staying at least 200 feet from shore or other structures boaters can reduce the likelihood their wakes will cause damage. Boats that create an artificial wake may require more distance to lower the impact.
Be aware of your environment and what’s going on around you – this applies to everyone on and around the water.
- Have a designated lookout to keep an eye out for other boats, objects, and swimmers.
- If crossing a wake, cross at low speeds and keep a close lookout for skiers and towables.
- Comply with all signs and respect barriers. This includes speed limits, no-wake zones, and underwater obstructions.
Stay away from shorelines, docks, or other structures. Backing a boat up to a riverbank or lakeshore can damage the area and lead to erosion. Travel slowly in shallow waters.
- Travel slowly in shallow waters and avoid boating in water less than 2½ feet deep
- High speeds near shorelines lead to large wakes that cause shoreline erosion.
- Check local ordinances, restrictions, closures, and permit requirements for the body of water you are on.
- Ask permission from the landowner(s) before crossing private property.
Minimize repetitive passes. Once you’ve run a line, move on to another area. Comply with all signs and respect barriers.
Respect the rights of others so everyone can enjoy their time on the water – keep the noise down, be courteous to other boaters, and show consideration to all recreationists on and around the water.
Environmental impacts of wakes
Large wakes produced by watercraft can result in a variety of negative environmental consequences, including:
- Shoreline erosion;
- Impaired water quality resulting from increased sediment in the water;
- Loss of shoreline vegetation, which helps stabilize the shore and provides important habitat for fish and wildlife.
These impacts are greater when water levels are high and shorelines are saturated.
Boaters must be aware that their actions directly impact the environment. They should take steps to reduce their wake when operating near shore or when water levels are high.
—https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater/own-your-wake.html
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FROZEN TREATS POSTPONED DUE TO RAIN AFTER THE UPPER HAY LAKE BOAT PARADE ON JULY 3RD
Rain held off for most of the boat parade on July 3rd, but a downpour forced postponement of the frozen treat give away until Burger Night on August 4, 2022 at the American Legion in Pequot Lakes. Linda Buss was unable to serve as Grand Marshall, but Claire Steen and crew led the parade with their pontoon boat. The event was well attended despite the “iffy” weather.
–Brad Schultz
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Campfire safety: Whether you’re in a state forest or in your backyard, campfires should be constructed with 3 feet or less in diameter and not more than 3 feet in height. – MN DNR
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