LAKE SARAH NEWS
Last Updated May 17, 2019
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Lake CLP Treatment Scheduled!
Our lake treatment plan has been approved and treatments will be starting early the week of 5/20/2019.
There are eight areas around the lake that will be treated, totaling approximately 111 acres. The treatment map below highlights the areas that are targeted for treatment.
Please keep a look out for treatment signs and be aware of irrigation restrictions. Signs will be posted on property with shoreline adjacent to the treatment areas.
Thank you to those of you who have contributed to the lake treatment fund. Your generous donations are critical to the health of our lake. If you have not already contributed to the treatment plan, please do vi the paypal link below the map or contact any of the LSIA Board Members. We still need to collect donations to cover the cost of the treatment plan.
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Make your contribution to the CLP Treatment Program here!
Stakeholders and lakeshore property owners have been asked to help offset the cost of the CLP Treatment program with a tax deductible contribution of $150. To make your contribution using PayPal just click on the button to the right. Or if you prefer, checks payable to the Lake Sarah Improvement Association may be mailed to LSIA, P.O. Box 25, Loretto, MN 55357.
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The most recent water level reading was 979.63' on May 16, 2019
This can be compared to the initial reading this spring of 980.26 on 4/20/19 and the final reading last fall on October 24, 2018 of 979.08' and the Ordinary High Water Level for Sarah of 979.90'. Thank you to Cindy Keating (west bay), brad Spencer (east bay) and Fred Lang (charts) who continue to volunteer their time to monitor our lakes’ water levels for the MN DNR, LSIA, and our website for yet another year!
Additional water level history, charts, and information can be found on the Water Levels page of this website
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LEN'S STORIES
Over the winter of 2018-19 Dolores Ullstrom met with longtime lake Sarah resident Len Nadasdy to share and preserve the history and memories of this storied gentleman. As published in the Spring 2019 LSIA newsletter the article as completed by Dolores with a little help from Jan Daly, Mayor Marvin Johnson, Gene Berthieaume, Jack Leddy, Todd Beamish, Brad Spencer and especially Brian VanBeusekom is presented here.
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| Dolores & Len in January 2019 |
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Watch for the Pelicans
The America white pelican is making a comeback in Minnesota, not only for the season, but also in terms of its population. While pelicans winter in the Gulf of Mexico region, more than 20 percent of the continent’s white pelican population takes up summer residence in Minnesota. Marsh Lake, located in Big Stone, Lac qui Parle and Swift counties, hosts the largest portion of the population.
In early spring, pelicans migrate north to their summer homes, which include the shallow lakes of southern Minnesota. Many are simply passing through or they may be nonbreeders that are feeding or loafing.
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Regional nongame specialist Lisa Gelvin-Innvaer asks the public to report new nesting colonies in southern Minnesota via email to lisa.gelvin-innvaer@state.mn.us. “Pelicans are a very distinct looking bird, and that’s why many people enjoy them – not just bird-watchers,” Gelvin-Innvaer said. “However, pelicans are especially sensitive to humans and are easily scared off of their nests, causing them to abandon their nest and eggs.” A good rule of thumb, she said, is to view from a distance. If pelicans react to a person’s presence, they’re too close.
For more information on American white pelicans, visit mndnr.gov/pelican.
excerpted from MN Department of Natural Resources News Release <dnr.updates@updates.mndnr.gov>
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2019 CLP and EWM weed treatment program
The Lake Sarah Improvement Association along with Pioneer Sarah Creek Watershed District and Three Rivers Park District will be contracting with a vendor to continue chemically treating Curly Leaf Pondweed (CLP) in early spring 2019. Our intent is to continue treating CLP on an as needed basis per our Lake Vegetation Mgmt Plan (LVMP). Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) will also be treated in 2019 at a later date.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has granted the Lake Sarah Improvement Association a waiver of the requirement to obtain signatures of approval of owners of lake-shore property. Instead the Lake Sarah Improvement Association is notifying property owners of the pending treatments with this letter (click here to view entire letter in .pdf).
Lake Sarah property owners who wish to opt out of treatments adjacent to their property, should notify LSIA immediately. You may contact the Lake Association via email or Scott Walsh LSIA board member by email or phone (number listed in the directory)
click this link to view the current 5 year lake vegetation management plan issued 3/27/2018
click this link to view the 2018 LVMP Annual Report for lake Sarah
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Happy New Year! Time to renew your LSIA Membership!
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Pay your LSIA Membership via PayPal !
Click the Buy Now button on the right to pay your dues with any major credit card or via bank transfer.
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ICE OUT 2019
Ice Out was declared to be Tuesday April 16, 2019
"Ice Out" is defined as the first day the lake is completely free of ice. Ice out dates compiled from years of observations by lake Sarah residents Tim Wuollet, Kathy Hahn, the Spencer's, and Mike Peterson provide the following statistics:
Average Ice Out Date since 1978 April 8
Earliest Ice Out Date recorded March 7, 2017
Latest Ice Out Date Recorded May 2, 2018
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Lake Sarah Wier surveyed
In response to inquiries over the summer of 2018 regarding the runout level of the cablecrete mat located at the Sarah creek outlet, LSIA asked Three Rivers Park staff to do a cross section elevation survey of the wier. The results could then be used to compare to the original as-built survey in an effort to determine if the runout control had changed or settled since it's installation.
The survey accessible via the link below compares very closely to the original as-built cross section survey. Thank you to Three Rivers Park and to Amy Timm, Water Resources Supervisor - Three Rivers Park District.
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| cable crete mat at Sarah Creek outlet shortly after installation in 2005 - photo by Brad Spencer |
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survey results in .pdf
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Art Mielke's Ice Harvesting video re-edited to add narration from Art Mielke
From 1939 until 1974 the Mielke family of the Breezy Hill Resort cut ice blocks during the winter on Sarah for use at all the resorts, dance hall, Delano & Rockford creameries & the Delano 4th of July celebration. Art's sister Irene filmed home movies in the 1960's of the Mielkes making ice, combining and transferring them to videotape more recently. Now converted to digital, the movie showing Art's family and friends cutting, loading and storing ice blocks (kegs) can be easily shared. By clicking on the thumnails above you may view larger images with expanded descriptions captured from the original video. The original video has now been edited to add narration from an interview with Art by Brad Spencer and Mark Hodges. click here to view the ice harvesting video including narration by Art Mielke (posted to YouTube). Click here to read the entire Ice Harvesting article as published in the October 2007 Mouth of Lake Sarah newsletter.
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| Mielke family harvesting Ice from Lake Sarah |
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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 2017-18 Minnesota Snowmobile Regs , Personal Watercraft Regs , 2019 MN Boating Guide , ATV/OHV Regs, or the 2019 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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