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LAKE SARAH NEWS
updated November 25, 2022
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DNR News Release
Avoid holiday tragedy by talking with kids about ice safety
A pre-Thanksgiving cold snap means some lakes and ponds across Minnesota are beginning to freeze. However, this ice isn’t safe to walk on and the water underneath is dangerously cold.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone to be extremely cautious around the water and, with children home for Thanksgiving break, to talk with them about the risks of cold water and ice.
While ice is never 100% safe, ice in the early stages of formation is particularly dangerous. Falls through the ice or into open water at this time of year can turn tragic quickly, and each year result in serious injuries or deaths.
Parents and guardians need to be especially vigilant about watching kids and ensuring children’s innate curiosity about the water and ice doesn’t put them at risk.
“Kids, and people who haven’t experienced winter in Minnesota, may not have enough knowledge to mitigate the risks associated with cold water and early ice,” said Col. Rodmen Smith, DNR Enforcement Division director. “Talk to your kids, talk to your neighbors—we all have a role to play in keeping people safe as the winter season gets underway.”
Anyone who recreates on the ice should wait until there’s at least 4 inches of new, clear ice before walking out onto it. Other tips for staying safe around cold water and on the ice include:
- Wearing a foam life jacket or flotation suit.
- Not going out alone—and letting someone know about trip plans and expected return time.
- Carrying ice picks, rope, an ice chisel and tape measure.
- Checking ice thickness at regular intervals; conditions can change quickly.
- Bringing a cell phone or personal locator beacon.
- Inquiring about conditions and known hazards with local experts before heading out.
For more information about staying safe on the ice, including thickness recommendations for various types of activities, see the DNR’s ice safety page (mndnr.gov/icesafety). For more information about surviving a fall into cold water, see the cold water dangers page (mndnr.gov/coldwater)
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ICE Over 2022 will likely be recorded as November 20, 2022!
The average Ice over date when calculated using the last 30 years of records as listed below is December 2. The earliest Ice over date was November 12 (1995) and the latest ice over date was December 21 (1998, 1999, 2001). This website uses "remains frozen for the season" for our records.
"Ice over" is defined by MPCA Citizen Lake Monitoring Program standards as the date that the ice completely covers the surface of the water and that it remains iced over for at least 24 hours. The dates below from 1989 - 2006 were provided by Sandy & Gregg Friehe ('00-'05) (East bay) and Al & Sally Moen ('89-'05) (West bay). Recorded dates 2007 - present are as reported to the MPCA by Mike Peterson, lake Sarah's CLMP program volunteer. Anyone with additional records for missing years is invited to email this site. In years where different dates were recorded, the date was averaged and noted by an (*) Thank you to the Friehe's, Moen's, and Mike Peterson for your help!
2022 November 202021 December 7 2020 December 2
2019 December 22018 November 282017 December 7 (Sarah froze over for 2 days on 11/22/17, reopening on 11/24/17)2016 December 10
2015 December 192014 November 152013 November 24
2012 December 112011 December 20 (a large area of open water reappeared 12/28/11 and stayed open until 1/3/12)
2010 November 27
2009 December 10
2008 November 25
2007 December 3
2006 December 1
2005 November 29*
2004 December 14
2003 November 27*
2002 December 3
2001 December 21*
2000 November 201999 December 211998 December 211997 November 161996 November 131995 November 121994 November 291993 November 251992 November 281991 December 41990 December 41989 November 16
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Record Dry Weather Causes Low Water Levels
The drought classification has been more intense in 2022 for the Twin Cities because it has been very dry (even drier than 2021). As of September 30, 2022, the Twin Cities have received 18.50 inches of precipitation, which is 7.67 inches below normal and 2.78 inches less than was received on the same day in 2021. The National Weather Service has identified that the Twin Cities has experienced the driest September on record (weather records began in the Twin Cities in 1871) with only 0.23 inches of rain recorded. Summer 2022 has been one of the driest on record for the Twin Cities. The stretch from June 1 - September 30, 2022 will be the fourth driest summer on record, and has been the driest summer since 1936, which was the peak of the Dust Bowl drought in the Twin Cities.
-source Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD)
The final water level reading of 2022 was 977.62' on November 20 (east bay gauge)
This year we set a new recorded low water level 977.53' on 10/30/22 surpassing the previous record 8/10/07 - 977.78'
(there are some locals who will tell you the low levels reached in the late 80's drought were lower but data for that period was never recorded)
This can be compared to the final reading last fall on November 22, 2021 of 978.20' and the Ordinary High Water Level for Sarah of 979.90'. Thank you to Cindy Keating (west bay) and the Spencer family (east bay) who continue to volunteer their time to monitor our lakes’ water levels for the MN DNR, LSIA, and our website. charts courtesy of Fred Lang / ConsultingIT
More information and water elevation history can be found on the Water Levels page on this website
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| MNDNR data 2012 - September 2022 |
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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 area Conservation Officer Officer Name: Brent Grewe Phone: (763) 205-6014, 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.
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