Merry Christmas everyone!
Best wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!
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| And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”
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LAKE SARAH NEWS
updated December 4, 2024
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Perfectly Average!
lake Sarah officially froze over officially on Tuesday December 2, 2024. Exactly the average ice-over date for the last 30 or so years.
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 January 12, 2024 after initially freezing on December 2, 2023. This website uses "remains frozen for the season" for our records.
For more information on past years Ice over / Ice off dates visit the Ice data page on this website.
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General ice thickness guidelines
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Early season Ice can be very dangerous.
This educational video from LMCC First Responder TV might be helpful!
ICE SAFETY: The cold hard facts!
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| CP Holiday Train returns!
Saturday, December 14th, 2024 marks the 26th anniversary of the Holiday Train stopping in Loretto as it makes its way across Canada and the US raising donations for food shelves. In 2023, Loretto's Holiday Train event raised over $23,000 and 1500 lbs. of food for our local food shelves.
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It's always a fun event in Loretto, with festivities from 3:00 - 5:00pm (the Holiday Train arrives at 4:15pm, show time is 4:30 - 5:00pm.) There will be kiddie train rides, hot chocolate, cider & cookies, bonfires & llamas are back again this year!! There will be interesting characters roaming the crowd too (including the GRINCH!) – not to mention the great musical show put on by CP Rail on the train. This year's performers are Seaforth & Alana Springsteen.
Come festive in your best winter holiday hat and bring a donation for the food shelf! It’s all about helping those in need - 100% of the cash and food donations go directly to our local food shelves. The Hanover Area Food Shelf continues to be our primary partner, with 5% of cash donations going to each of the following: Helping Hands Food Shelf in Delano, Riverworks Food Shelf in Rockford, and the Maple Plain Food Shelf.
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West Hennepin Public Safety Reserves
View Santa
Saturday, December 7th, 2024
Annually West Hennepin Public Safety holds a View Santa Event organized by our Reserve Officers. The event entails escorting Santa throughout town giving citizens a chance to see Santa. During the event, we collect donations for the local food shelf.
https://westhennepin.com/view-santa
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The West Hennepin Public Safety Reserves are sponsoring the 44th Annual View Santa program on Saturday, December 7th, 2024.
The Reserves will collect non-perishable food donations for local food shelves. Check times carefully as they have changed.
Come to the Independence City Hall (1920 County Road 90) from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. or to Veterans Memorial Park (1664 Budd Ave, Maple Plain) from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. to see Santa on his route through town.
If you are unable to participate and would still like to donate to our local food shelves you can donate to the following to help others in need:
Mound Westonka Food Shelf- 2443 Commerce Blvd. Mound MN (952) 472-5599
https://westonkafoodshelf.wixsite.com/westonkafoodshelf
Delano Food Shelf-Helping Hands- 140 Elm Ave East Delano MN (763) 972-4455
https://www.delano.mn.us/community/misc/delano-helping-hands-food-shelf
Riverworks Food Shelf - 8230 Cedar Street Rockford MN, (763) 477-6098.
http://www.riverworksonline.org/food-shelf.html
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Santa's Route and Schedule:
- 3:30-4:15 p.m.
- 4:25 p.m.
- 4:30 p.m.
- 4:35 p.m.
- 4:40 p.m.
- 4:45 - 5:30 p.m.
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- 5:35 p.m.
- Independence St
- Howard Ave
- Drake Street
- Perkins Lane
- Independence St
- Baker Park Rd
- 5:50 p.m.
- 6:05 p.m.
- Gateway Blvd
- Howard Ave - via mall parking lot
- Hwy 12 Frontage Rd
- Boundary Ave
- 6:15 p.m.
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- 6:20 p.m.
- Main St. E
- Budd Ave
- Bryantwood Ave
- Joyce St
- Bryant St
- 6:40 p.m.
- Prairieland Ave
- Joyce St
- Wyman Ave
- Pioneer Ave
- 6:50 p.m.
- Main St. W
- Halgren Rd
- Hamilton HIlls
- 7:20 p.m
- Halgren Rd
- Parkview Rd
- Rainbow Ave
- Main St. W
- Parkview Rd
- Three Oaks Ave
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| click on image for more information |
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The final water level reading in 2024 was 978.81' on November 17
This can be compared to the final reading last fall on November 25, 2023 of 979.33' and the Ordinary High Water Level for Sarah of 979.90'. The Spencer family will continue as the appointed volunteer monitoring our lake’s water levels for the MN DNR, the LSIA and the lakesarah.com community website.
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| lakelevels through November 17, 2024 in light blue |
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News release: Zebra mussels confirmed in Rice Lake (Hennepin County), Clear Lake (Washington County), Potato Lake (Hubbard County), and Bass Lake (Wright County) in October 2024.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Rice Lake, located partially in Maple Grove, Hennepin County. A Rice Lake property owner contacted the DNR after finding zebra mussels attached to a settlement sampler fixed to their dock. Another lake resident in a different location also reported zebra mussels on a settlement sampler. DNR staff found zebra mussels on rocks in the water near these properties.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Clear Lake, near Forest Lake in Washington County. Rice Creek Watershed District staff contacted the DNR after a lake resident reported a zebra mussel on their dock on the west side of the lake. Another resident in the same area subsequently reported a zebra mussel on their dock. More zebra mussels were found by the DNR during shoreline searches in the same area as the two residents’ docks.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Potato Lake, near Park Rapids in Hubbard County. A lake property owner contacted the DNR after a lake service provider found a zebra mussel on a boat lift they were removing for the season from Potato Lake. DNR and Hubbard County staff and Potato Lake Association members found five additional zebra mussels at the location of the initial report and two more at another location about 2.5 miles away.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Bass Lake, near Annandale in Wright County. Bass Lake residents contacted the DNR after finding zebra mussels attached to their docks. DNR invasive species specialists was able to confirm one of these reports, finding a live zebra mussel on a dock in the lake.
Settlement samplers aid in detection and are solid surfaces temporarily placed in the water so people can regularly check for attached zebra mussels.
Several new zebra mussel confirmations in Minnesota lakes in recent years were initially reported by property owners and lake service providers removing docks, boats, and boat lifts at the end of the season. The DNR asks people to carefully check boats and trailers, docks and lifts, and all other water-related equipment for invasive species when removing equipment for seasonal storage.
Remember to also keep docks and boat lifts out of the water for at least 21 days before putting them into another body of water. This is state law.
Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:
- Clean watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
- Drain all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
- Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
- Never release bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
- Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days before moving them from one water body to another.
These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:
- Decontaminate watercraft and equipment – find free stations on the courtesy decontamination page of the DNR website
- Spray watercraft and equipment with high-pressure water or rinse with water if high-pressure water is not available.
- Dry watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another water body.
People should contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist if they think they have found zebra mussels or any other invasive species that was not already known to be in the water body.
More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website.
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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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