Floating bog creating problems?
DNR permit is required to move one
Recently, more lakeshore property owners than usual are asking the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources about an unexpected visitor – floating bogs dislodged by the high water and coming to rest against docks, water outlets and boat landings.
If a property owner or associated group chooses to remove or relocate a floating bog, they must acquire a permit from the DNR. The property owner or group also is responsible for moving the bog. But the DNR can provide advice as part of the permitting process.
Floating bogs are mostly emergent aquatic or wetland vegetation such as cattails. Most that end up along people’s docks are anywhere from 10 square feet to several acres in size.
The DNR considers the ecological value of bogs in the permitting process and prefers that floating bogs are returned to where they came from because of their ecological value. The removal or destruction of rooted bogs is not allowed. Property owners who want to move a floating bog that washes ashore are advised to act quickly before it becomes rooted.
More information about aquatic plant management permits can be found at mndnr.gov/apm.
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| LSIA 2004 Project to remove the problem bog
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The restructured project beginning Wednesday night 6/23 @ 5:30 and ending at sunset on Thursday 6/24 results are in - the estimated 1/4 acre problem bog is officially gone! This project could not have been completed without the help of the many volunteers who made this project possible. Thank You! to the volunteers Mike Peterson, Ben Endsley, Scott Walsh, John Wise, Ron Jorgenson, Steve Riley, Kim Jacobson, Pat Lyrek, Dale Hahn, Ed Penney, Greg Reitan, Joe Slavec. Also thanks to the efforts of Butch and Jan Gardner of Metro Contracting who are now officially bog removal experts! Click on the thumbnail images below to view pictures of the 6/23-24/2004 bog removal.
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| Clearing the area in front of the excavator |
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| Bucket on the excavator with a "thumb" |
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| Excavator with the "thumb" |
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| Draining the material |
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| Piled material prepared for trucking |
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| Onlookers |
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| Onlookers |
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| Setting the bog hooks |
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| Surfing the bog |
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| Resetting the bog hook |
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| Surfing the bog |
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| Resetting the bog hook |
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| Bobcat tows the boglets |
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| Positioning the bog sections by hand |
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| Excavator reach |
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| Draining pile |
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| Loading the trucks |
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| Loading Trucks |
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| Half of bog removed |
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| Half of the bog removed |
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| Lunch Break |
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| Most of bog removed |
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| Towing the bog with a pontoon |
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| Rounding up the last pieces |
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| Bog mostly gone |
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| End of the day |
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| Riley gets BOGGED |
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| Anybody got a helicopter? |
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| The worlds first combination Ski / Duck boat |
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Bog Removal Project Update - (8/07/04) Volunteers worked Saturday morning (8/6) to remove from the water the debris that remained from the Bog Removal Project. The water portion of the project is now completed with shoreline property restoration yet to be performed. As usual Ron Jorgenson brought his equipment and several amazing new inventions to aid in the process. Volunteers included Mike Peterson, Pat Lyrek, Ron Jorgenson, Fred Bills, Fred Lang, Dale Hahn, and Steve Riley. Thank you to Ron and all the volunteers for a job well done!
Bog Removal Project Update 6/29/04 - A full day of cleanup at the site, Ron Jorgenson, Pat Lyrek, Greg Reitan, Joe Slavec. Metro Contracting will haul out the last of the removed material on 6/30 and wrap up their portion of the project.
Bog Removal Project Update 6/23/04 - Metro Contracting (Daryl) arrived at 5:30 with an excavator with a bucket/thumb combination. Lots of volunteers in and out of the water. Much better progress this time with an estimated 1/3 of the remaining bog removed and piled on shore tonight by dark. Project will resume Thursday 6/24 at 7-8am and run until completed. Thank you to all the volunteers who showed up tonight!
Bog Removal Project Update 6/22/04 - Last minute change in plans - Joe Slavec says Metro Contracting wants to start at 5pm on Wednesday 6/23 and work until dark to get a jump on the task. Volunteers are needed for Wednesday night, Thursday morning - evening. Anyone who is willing to volunteer should email this site with their phone numbers and availability. Sorry for the short notice!Bog Removal Project Update 6/21/04 - The project will resume early on Thursday 6/24/04. The revised plan will involve equipment from Metro Contracting. Volunteers are needed for this project especially persons willing to get in the water to assist in cutting and positioning the bog for removal. Further information will be posted here and emailed to volunteers as it is received.
Bog Removal Project Update 6/8/04 PM - The trucks and excavator arrived after noon on Tuesday 6/8. Greg Reitan, Joe Slavec, Ron Jorgenson, Pat Lyrek, Tom Mizell, Mike Peterson, Ben Endsley, & Jim Olson worked until dark removing a large portion of the bog. More than half of the bog remains and last nights rain has negatively affected the worksite. The rented equipment has been returned and the project will resume when the weather permits.
Bog Removal Project Update 6/8/04 AM - Joe reports the excavator and truck will arrive at around noon Tuesday 6/8. Pat Lyrec, Ron Jorgenson, Greg Reitan & Joe Slavec will begin the removal process as soon as they can position the equipment. A few more volunteers would be appreciated so if you are available stop down to the removal area on Shady Beach Circle and see where you can be of assistance. The project will likely take well into the evening hours, possibly into Wednesday.
Click on the images below for full size photos of the staging and removal process.
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| Positioning bog for removal 6/4/04 |
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| Bog moving towards staging area 6/4/04 |
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| Bog nearing removal site 6/4/04 |
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| Last push to the staging area 6/4/04 |
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| final position for removal 6/4/04 |
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| Mike sets the bog hooks |
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| Bog in staging area 6/5/04 |
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| Anchoring line #1 |
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| Anchoring line #2 |
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| Jorgenson Bog Hook / Puller |
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| Using a steel cable to cut the bog. |
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| Cable used to cut the bog |
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| Cutting the bog by hand |
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| smaller pieces moved by hand |
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| Positioning smaller pieces for removal. |
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| Pontoon on the outside of the bog |
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| Excavator removing parts of the bog |
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| Loading the smaller truck |
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| Loading the truck |
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| The larger truck used 6/8/04 |
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| Helping the stuck larger truck |
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| Composting site 5:30 pm 6/8/04 |
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| Composting site view #2 - 5:30 pm 6/8/04 |
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Bog Removal Project Update 6/4/04 - The bog has been moved to the removal staging area, a cove on the south side of the mid-lake channel off Slavecs/Reitans and Jorgensons properties. Volunteers using their own boats including Mike Peterson, Ron Jorgenson, Scott Walsh, Pat Lyrek, Al Moen, Jim Olson, Steve Riley, Fred Lang, Kim Jacobsen & Brad Spencer (I apologize if I missed someone!) pushed the bog into the cove through the channel where it was then anchored in place pending its removal. The process to remove the bog should begin within the next week. Bog Problem Update 6/3/04 - The current plan is to reposition and secure the bog on Friday (6/4 late afternoon) for removal. The removal process which will involve the use of an excavator to remove it from the lake and let it drain for a few days before loading and hauling it to the disposal site is scheduled to begin early next week pending availability of the equipment. Following the disposal will be repair to the property and shoreline used for the project. Thank you to Joe Slavec, Greg Reitan, and Ron Jorgenson for their willingness to volunteer their talents and properties to this important project. This project is an experimental attempt to solve the floating bog problem by removing the offending Cattail Island. The subject bog being removed (with MN DNR permit in hand) is approximately 80' in diameter and will be staged and anchored near the removal area. The bog will then be removed from the lake using an excavator and left on shore for a few days to drain some of the water from the mass effectively reducing its weight. After draining, the material will be loaded and hauled to a city approved dumping site to compost. With largely volunteer resources we hope to learn how best to effect the removal of these potentially destructive bogs and learn what to expect in associated expenses. The project was commissioned in late 2003 by the LSIA under the direction of the Safety and Navigation committee, Steve Riley chairman. Joe Slavec, a local contractor and LSIA DNR Liason will be donating his time, shoreline property and expertise to the project. Ron Jorgenson, the lakes most experienced bog wrangler is also lending his time, inventions, and shoreline property to this project. With the help of many volunteers and their boats and equipment we hope to solve this problem in a more permanent fashion.
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| The subject bog off Shady Beach Circle on 6/1/04 - Pat Lyrek and Ron Jorgenson in foreground. photo by Brad Spencer |
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| This monster bog broke free twice in 2003. It was over 200 feet wide, caused some dock damage, and likely spawned the smaller problem bogs currently around the lake . photo by Craig Peterson |
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