Eagle Lake Association
Annual Board Meeting 7:00
Friday, January 11, 2009
Members Present: Bill Dale, Dave Knapper, Tammy Knapper, Glen Simons, Lisa Simons, Beth Tepfer, Dan Tepfer,
Members Absent: Kim Baker, Dick Thynes Norman Westby
Supper was served to 87 people.
Call to Order: President Bill Dale at 7:28 P. M.
Welcome: Special Guests – Bruce Gilbertson, MN DNR Fisheries
New members – acknowlegded
Introduction of Current Board members: Bill, Dave, Tammy, Glen, Lisa, Beth, Dan and not in attendance, but on the board, Kim, Norm and Dick. Three new board members were introduced: Erik Pentz, Marly Tebben and Gary Hanson. Chuck Haupert motioned the approval of the 2009 Board of directors. Lila Rekedal seconded. Motion carried.
Review of 2008 events: Tammy recapped events of the year. Garage Sale, Spring Social, 4th of July Boat Parade, Leaf Pick up.
Membership: 2006 - 179 out of 283 – 63% membership
2007 – 170 out of 283 – 60% membership
2008 – 172 out of 283 – 61% membership
Water Quality (Glen):
The Association received a $1000 grant from the county to offset water testing costs. Reviewed monitoring site with photos. We have monitored sites consistently since 2000. Glen reviewed lake definitions for Total Phosphorus, Ortho Phosphorus, Secchi disk, Chlorophyll A, and Dissolved Oxygen. The clarity of eagle Lake has increase by 25% sine 1990’s. Phosphorus is a little high and Chlorophyll A is stable.
Recycling:
West Central Sanitation has free curb side pickup every other Tuesday. Call for a bin and more information. Our county only recycles plastic #1 and 2 bottles. Recycle as much as you can to save the environment.
Eagle Lake Website (Glen):
Eaglelakewillmar.com – reviewed links on the site and encouraged member to look at it. It is a way to communicate to our membership and our community. Glen took us on a tour of the site.
Bruce Gilbertson – Dept of Natural Resources Fisheries dept. He shared that Eagle Lake is sampled every 5 years, using traps, gal nets and eclectic shock. Data can be found on DNR home page. There is not significant walleye reproduction in eagle Lake, so fingerlings are stocked every other year by DNR in the fall. Summer of 2009 sampling will take place again and the lake management plan will be modified. Lawler northern spawning area had repairs made in the Fall of 2008, so the plan is to put boards in this spring and hope for more northern pike reproduction. Next, Bruce took questions from the membership.
Why so many weeds, if we are a recreational lake? Rooted vegetation has been better lately because of better clarity and sun penetration. If there are eventually less nutrients entering the lake, less weeds will grow. WE want rooted plants, but not the pea soup. Home owners can apply for a permit to get relief for swimming area.
Law enforcement question. Eagle Lake has good biting last winter and people were taking extra fish, does the DNR monitor the hot spots? There are 2 conservation officers for the county. If they know of hot spots, then try to check them out. It is hard to catch rule breakers, as DNR must knock before entering a fish house. If you know someone or have a name or location of a house, call the TIP line or sheriff’s dispatch. Call when it is happening.
Since we have poor reproduction on Eagle Lake, should we throw back the big ones? Yes, if you want to keep catching the big ones.
Why don’t walleye’s naturally reproduce in Eagle Lake? There is not an adequate environment to produce what is needed. Bruce is not sure why. He feels the east Point should be a great place, but there gets to be slim on these rocks and that smothers the eggs before they can hatch. Also, we are in the southern range of the area for walleye, as they are a cool water species.
Can planks be put in the outlet so we don’t have such a shallow shoreline? The sill has been established through the court system. It must stay the same or in dry years the people downstream will be dryer and in wet year, they will get wetter. A new permanent level can be established, but the 283 lakeshore owners would have to agree on it. Odds are slim to get the sill changed. The process would begin by talking to Skip Wright and the county.
Who polices the Eurasian Milfoil? Or exotic species? The DNR, when they survey the lakes. They also rely on lake shore owners to report anything unusual. Call the DNR, if you suspect something strange.
Is the damn in good condition, as there seem to be cracks in it? It is a concrete structure. DNR is working with landowner to do some rip rap along the bank, but are currently at an impasse.
Was the August weed growth between public access and bait shop identified? Looks similar to Eurasian Milfoil, but it is called Northern water Milfoil and is a native species. I will be there for a while and could disappear if there is a drop in nutrients in the lake. Chemicals cannot be used in the general area of the lake, due to fish habitat, etc.
Concerns about gravel mining on the North end of the lake. DNR understands concerns, but only suggests pushing for monitoring of it.
Other lakes in area are getting money from state to cut weeds. Can eagle Lake get this? Yes, grant are available, but only for exotic species (especially curly leaf pond weed), which eagle Lake doesn’t have. So basically no money for Eagle Lake.
Other Questions:
Where is the cormorant committee? This is a practice that is not to take place.
Chuck Ericson – Sewer rates will be doubling in the next 2 years, as the city is increasing the rates. The money is to help pay for the new sewer plant. We haven’t had an increase since 1999.
How old does a person need to be to pull a skier? A permit can be obtained for a 12 or 13 year old to drive a boat. Not sure on skier. Look in Boating hand book for answer. DNR has the training packet.
Summary/Door Prizes:
Reminder:
Talk to you neighbors and ask them to join the association, if they are not already members.
Meeting Adjourned: There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:40.
Next Meeting: Monday, February 16, 2009 at Norm & Jan Westby’s
Respectfully submitted,
Tammy Knapper, Secretary