|
LAKE SARAH NEWS
updated June 21, 2025
|
Lake Independence posts
NO-Wake on their lake at noon 6/23/25
Lake Independence water levels have been rising quickly with recent rainfall while we on Sarah are fortunate to be experiencing much more stable water levels well below our no-wake threshhold. This would be an excellent time to Thank the volunteers who continue to maintain the lake Sarah outlet by removing blockages and clearing the outlet channel. It is a thankless and dirty job but their work makes a huge difference allowing us to continue to enjoy our lake's recreational opportunities during summers like this.
|
 |
| 2024 lake Sarah stewardship award presented to volunteers in 2024 by Independence Mayor Marvin Johnson |
|
|
The most recent water level reading in 2025 was 979.57' on June 14
This can be compared to the Ordinary High Water Level for Sarah of 979.90' and our No-Wake ordinance Threshold of 981,10'. The Spencer family will continue as the appointed volunteer monitoring our lakes’ water levels for the MN DNR, the LSIA and the lakesarah.com community website
|
Lake Sarah water levels mid range (see chart) for this time of year. We're looking pretty good considering the low snow winter. Enjoy the lake and remember - as my friend Joan Lyrek used to say - If you're lucky enough to live on the lake then you're lucky enough!
|
 |
| Arrow indicates level 979.61 on May 26, 2025 |
|
|
 |
| photo courtesy of Craig Freudenberg |
|
| Lake Sarah Loons are parents again!
Our loon family is back and has been seen on both bays with 2 chicks this year. Please stay far away from them and avoid their nesting area! In the first couple weeks of their lives, you might see a chick on its parents’ back, snuggled into their wings, and taking a nap. Riding on their parents’ backs helps keeps chicks warm and safe from predators.
Loons – and other wildlife – can easily get tangled in discarded or broken fishing line. Fishing line entanglement can prevent loons from moving freely or feeding themselves or chicks, and they often will die of starvation or lead poisoning if they consume lead fishing tackle. Please act responsibly - use non toxic weights and properly dispose of used fishing line!
|
|
The requirements aim to make boating even safer
Beginning July 1, 2025, more people who operate motorboats or personal watercrafts on Minnesota waters must obtain a valid watercraft operator’s permit. The updated requirements, passed into law during 2023, are intended to make boating safer by ensuring people operating motorized watercraft know the rules and are properly trained.
Initially, the law applies to:
- People who were born after June 30, 2004, and are aged 12 or older.
- Anyone who wishes to serve as an “accompanying operator” for people without a valid watercraft operator’s permit, or for people under the age of 12 and not eligible to obtain a permit.
- Individuals who wish to rent/operate motorized rental watercraft.
People who already possess a valid watercraft operator’s permit from Minnesota or another state do not need to obtain a new permit to meet these requirements. The requirements will incrementally include more people over time. When the law is fully implemented on July 1, 2028, all motorized watercraft operators born after June 30, 1987, will be required to have a valid watercraft operator’s permit. Boaters born before July 1, 1987, generally are not required to obtain a watercraft operator’s permit.
Instances in which people born before July 1, 1987, need a watercraft operator’s permit include:
- If they’re an “accompanying operator” and allow youth or person without a watercraft operator’s permit to operate a motorboat. Accompanying operators must be 21 years of age or older; in the boat or on the personal watercraft; within immediate reach of the motor controls; and possess a valid operator’s permit or be an “exempt operator” (possess a valid U.S. Coast Guard license for maritime personnel, for example).
- If they’re renting a motorized watercraft. Renters must be 18 years of age or older and possess a valid watercraft operator’s permit.
“Minnesota has a long and proud tradition of safe outdoor recreation, and a key part of that is safety education,” said Capt. Adam Block, DNR boating law administrator. “While this new law won’t initially apply to many boat operators, we still encourage all boaters – regardless of their age – to obtain their watercraft operator’s permit.”
More information, including a link to complete the watercraft operator’s permit course, is at mndnr.gov/safety/boatwater/boater-education-law.html
|
Docks and Access in Public Waters
Docks, those narrow structures used for getting to deeper water, are commonly used on Minnesota lakes and rivers. For many docks, no permit is needed to install, construct, or reconstruct on shoreline property. For certain docks, a general permit may be used. There are many options, and we recommend that landowners use the smallest and narrowest dock that will reasonably meet their water access needs.
|
Don’t let a wildfire become a life‐altering event
As Minnesota experiences an active spring wildfire season, with 475 wildfires reported since April 1, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is urging the public to take wildfire dangers seriously. If you see a wildfire, do not attempt to fight it yourself -- call 911 immediately from a safe location.
Even seemingly harmless activities like enjoying a campfire or burning a small pile of yard waste can quickly turn into a dangerous wildfire, especially on warm, sunny, or windy days. Not only do wildfires threaten property, but they can also lead to injuries and even deaths, the vast majority of which are avoidable.
"Every year, including this year, we learn of people who have suffered serious injuries that require hospitalization -- or worse, fatalities -- from attempting to control a wildfire on their own," said William Glesener, wildfire operations supervisor with the DNR. "Just like a house fire, a wildfire is extremely dangerous and unpredictable and should be left to the experts to manage.”
Wildland firefighters are highly trained and properly equipped to respond to wildfires safely. If a fire escapes your control or you spot a wildfire, do not try to handle it yourself—immediately seek safety and call 911.
Prevention is the best way to manage wildfire risks. Always be careful when burning vegetation or enjoying an evening around the campfire, and make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the site – if it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave. Also remember that any fire larger than 3 feet in diameter and 3 feet high needs a burning permit. By allowing burning permit activation only on days when wildfire risk is not elevated, the DNR keeps safety a priority. Learn more on the ).
|
|
Many of the questions emailed to this site regard illegal or inconsiderate snowmobile, atv, boat or pwc operation or fishing/hunting violation questions. To report illegal vehicular activity you should contact Hennepin County Sheriff Water Patrol (612)596-9880, or West Hennepin Public Safety (763)479-0500, The Water Patrol will not issue a citation for offenses they do not witness. They may issue a citation if the witness agrees sign the complaint (much like a citizens arrest). If you plan on filing charges against an individual you should make note of the date, time, vehicle description and license number, identity or good description of the operator. A side note; If the offender wishes to appear in court you may be required to appear as witness / accuser. To report hunting or fishing violations call DNR West Metro Conservation Officer: Ben Ulrich Phone: (651)242-2166, DNR Enforcement (651)582-1502, or orTIP (turn in poachers) toll free hotline 800-652-9093. Click the blue text for a copy of the Minnesota Snowmobile Regs , Personal Watercraft Regs , MN Boating Guide , ATV/OHV Regs, or the current MN Fishing Regulations , in Adobe Acrobat Reader format (.pdf).
Lake Sarah (MN DNR #27-0191) is located in sections 1 and 2, township 118, range 24; and in sections 34 and 35, township 119, range 24, Hennepin County, Minnesota. GPS 45°4'19"N 93°41'24"W surrounded by the Minnesota cities of Independence, Greenfield, Loretto, Medina, and Rockford. Click here to view a Google hybrid map of lake Sarah. Suggestions for content and services to be provided by this site are always welcome! E-mail this website with your feedback, suggestions, comments or ideas.
|
|
