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LAKE SARAH NEWS
updated July 13, 2025
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The most recent water level reading in 2025 was 979.97' on July 13
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
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Lake Water Levels have crested (for now)!
Lake Sarah water levels appear to have peaked (see chart) as long as we don't get significant rainfall events for a week or so. The reading on Sunday July 13 of 979.97' is just 1" above the OHWL.
Check your boats and lifts, seeing many docks close to flooding or under water.
Boaters enjoy the lake but please be mindful of your wakes near shorelines and equipment.
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| Arrow indicates level 980.20 on July 10, 2025. Red Line is No-Wake Ordinance trigger level 981.10'. Blue line is OHWL 979.90' |
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29th Annual 4th of July Boat Parade!
Friday July 4, 2025
Thank you to Sarah Evjen and Andy Sorenson and LSIA for coordinating this year's 4th of July flotilla! Photos available to participants - email Brad
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| photo courtesy of Craig Freudenberg |
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| 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!
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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.
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| 2024 lake Sarah stewardship award presented to volunteers in 2024 by Independence Mayor Marvin Johnson |
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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
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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 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.
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