9.1. SR 06-20-2016City of
Elk —
River
Request for Action
To
Item Number
Mayor and City Council
9.1
Agenda Section
Meeting Date
Prepared by
Work SessionJune
20, 2016
Brandon Wisner, Stormwater Coordinator
Item Description
Reviewed by
Lake Orono Management
Kristin Mroz, Environmental Technician
Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Action Requested
Discuss Lake Orono Management strategies.
Background/Discussion
Last July, the Lake Orono Improvement Association (LOIA) sent a letter to the city outlining concerns
about the lake as well as welcoming the opportunity to work with the city regarding long-term planning.
Since then, city staff, Sherburne County Soil and Water Conservation (SWCD) staff, Council Member
Jerry Olson and a few Lake Orono residents have met on several occasions in an effort to identify
concerns, roles and potential next steps.
Agenda
1. Lake Concerns
i. Sedimentation
1. Sedimentation Study
2. Removal options
a. Dredging
3. Feasibility Study
4. Costs, Timeline
ii. Aquatic Vegetation and Algae
1. Curly -Leaf Pondweed
2. Native Vegetation Overgrowth
3. Algae
a. Management
i. Drawdown/freeze
ii. Hand Removal
iii. Chemical Removal
1. Public Waters Demonstration Site
iv. Lakeshore Buffers
v. Upstream Management
vi. Costs, Timeline
2. TMDL and Sub -watershed Assessment Grant
i. City Storm Water Management Plan
3. LOWCQ Lake Orono Management Plan
i. Action Item Calendar for 2016
P a w E A E U s r
NaA f RE]
ii. Action Plan
iii. Updating The Lake Management Plan
Financial Impact
Not at this time.
Attachments
■ LOIA Letter
■ Lake Orono Maps
July 28, 2015
Dear Mayor Dietz, Elk River City Council Members and Administrative Leaders,
In an ongoing manner the members of the Lake Orono Association, and its members in the Lake Orono Water
Quality Committee in particular, have had many discussions about the overall condition of Lake Orono. I am
submitting this letter of concern on their behalf. We believe the lake usability has been experiencing a lengthy
period of gradual decline, the consequences impacting both local quality of life and possible home values
decreasing as a result of the degraded conditions.
There are three distinct sets of background elements, timelines and patterns for our primary lake concerns:
Sedimentation: Lake Orono depth and sedimentation really first became a major concern in the late 1980s.
We took a couple of runs at building a coalition to address it, and a lake drawdown and sedimentation
removal was successfully completed in 1998. We projected at the time that it would need to be done again
in approximately 20 years, and that looks to be quite accurate.
Curly -leaf Pondweed: CLP became a major issue in 2001/2002 and we successfully navigated all the hoops
to get a permit to do a lake drawdown to freeze the CLP in late 2003. It worked well and we tried to get a
permit in 2004 to get the rest of it, but a resident complained that turtles were disrupted in 2003 so the
DNR rescinded their initial approval and said we should do it earlier in the year. From then on the rules
kept changing to get a drawdown permit. The CLP continues to get worse each year. In 2009/2010 we
successfully obtained 83% of all lakeshore owners signatures requesting a drawdown permit (by law 75% is
now needed) but the DNR turned us down saying in their opinion, "the problem wasn't bad enough."
Native Plant Overgrowth and Algae Proliferation: Both of these became major issues in 2010. No one is yet
quite sure why it started then, but it also started happening at the same time in other lakes around the
state. A couple of things that we believe contributed: in 2009 we had very light to no snow cover on the
lake so a greenhouse effect may have been created, and we had a couple of years of heavy rainfall and
runoff that "flushed" both nutrients and plant material down the Elk River and tributaries to Lake Orono.
We have reviewed the long-term plans of the city as well as the park and recreation plan. We see goals related
to water quality and assume the lake itself is at least a portion of those goals. We are interested in entering
discussions with appropriate city representatives to see if there are steps in these goals and actions where we
may be helpful and possibly give some input regarding our observations and concerns. Enclosed is a map
depicting the main concerns outlined above.
We have heard some exciting things relating to increasing water activities through the Parks and Recreation
Department, but we have also heard of discussions on whether this body of water should be viewed and
maintained as a lake or a river. That decision could have significant implications on long-term conditions and
uses. Left unchecked, the encroaching vegetation and sedimentation will render a significant portion of the lake
unusable for boats, canoes, kayaks, swimming, fishing, pontoon rides, or even our volunteer efforts to collect
lake samples for testing.
While we do not pretend to have answers to all the considerations necessary for this discussion, we do have
some significant longevity and experience on the lake as well as a desire to protect what we feel is a major
community asset. We are in a unique position to give first-hand history and have the ability to provide large-
scale monitoring of conditions as any potential action steps are implemented.
We would welcome an opportunity to meet with the parties involved in City long-term planning goals to help us
understand your thoughts and concerns regarding the future of Lake Orono as well as identifying any way that
we can be helpful. Please contact me either via email ekbury@charter.net or phone (763) 241-8887 to let us
know if any additional information is needed and when we could meet.
Sincerely,
Ed Bury, President
Lake Orono Improvement Association
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In 1995, a joint committee composed of members representing the Lake Orono
Improvement Association, the City of Elk River, and Sherburne County
Soil and Water Conservation District
was formed to address the sedimentation _
of Lake Orono. After successfully
completing the lake dredging in 1998,
this group decided to continue and
address water quality issues. The group
meets approximately every other month.
Activities include:
• Perform water quality and clarity
testing on the lake and submit
to MPCA.
• Survey Curlyleaf pondweed and
report to DNR.
• Maintain a presence on other
watershed committees such as
the Sherburne County Water Plan
Committee.
• Serve as liaison between DNR
Fisheries, City of Elk River and
LOIA regarding fish stocking.
• Identify issues that may adversely
affect the lake (i.e., sedimentation,
nutrient loading, goose population,
exotic weeds), call in advisors
such as the DNR, the Board of
Soil and Water Resources, MPCA
and others to discuss those
issues, establish a plan to try to
resolve them and act on that plan.
Current concerns:
Curly -leaf pondweed removal
• Proliferation of Curly -leaf
pondweed, algae and native plant
overgrowth. Planting an upland buffer strip
• Continued water quality and clarity
monitoring.
• Continued public alerts of Orono beach water quality impairment.
• Working on a proactive sedimentation management plan to mitigate in a
prudent, cost-effective manner.
Past projects include:
• Successful completion of the dredging of Lake Orono in 1998.
• Creation of the monitoring of Orono beach and notifying residents if water
is unsafe.
• Erosion control of the banks of Orono Cemetery.
• Successful passing of an ordinance requiring the limited use of phosphorus
in fertilizer in the City of Elk River.
• Planting of upland buffer strips and in -lake vegetation.
• Development of a Lake Management Plan under the Healthy Lakes
Program of the Central Minnesota Initiative Foundation from 2002-2004.
Funding:
Most of the work is volunteer or staff time, but all three composite groups (LOIA,
the City and SWCD) have funded out-of-pocket costs such as fish stocking,
lab work, plant material or goose trapping. Some activities have been funded
through grants where available. In the case of the dredging, work was additionally
funded through Sherburne County, the Elk River Lions, the American Legion and
through a special assessment on property owners.
Members:
Citizens: Ed Buttweiler, Christy Cox, Stan Denne, Cindi Edwards -Plant,
Andrew Hulse, Tom Farnsworth, Tom Hartman, Ray Miller, Tera Olson,
Patrick Plant, Paul Sheets, Jim Tachney, Vance Zehringer
City of Elk River: Kristin Mroz, Jerry Olsen, Brandon Wisner
SWCD: Dan Cibulka
For more information:
http://www.lakeorono.org/waterquality.htmi
1'
�M1
Lal<e Orono Management Plan
City of Elk River
Lake Orono Improvement Association
Lake Orono Water Quality Committee
Sherburne County Soil and Water Conservation District
Agenda p ✓ r,
�
3 w-,why'
^'4A
• LOIA and LOWQC Overview
• LOIA Letter
• Lake Concerns
— Sedimentation
— Aquatic Vegetation
— Algae
• TMDL and Sub-Watershed Assessment Grant
• Public Communication and Education
• LOWQC Lake Orono Management Plan Updates
Labe Orono Im proverne ssociation
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• Founded 1971
• "The purpose of the organization shall be to maintain,
improve and prevent deterioration of the water course,
to prevent pollution, to encourage maintenance of the
dam, to promote conservation and to enforce safety
regulations for all activities on the lake and river and
adjacent properties."
Lake Orono Water Quality Committee
• Founded 1995
• "A. The Lake Orono Water Quality Committee
(LOWQC) is a joint effort between the Lake Orono
Improvement Association (LOIA), City of Elk River
and Sherburne County Soil and Water Conservation
District (SWCD) .
• B. The LOWQC is charged with implementing the
objectives identified in our Lake Management Plan and
periodically reviewing goal status with LOIA as well as
identifying if new goals have emerged."
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MISSISSIPPI RIVER - ST. CLOUD MAJOR WATERSHED
LOIA Letter
July 28,2015
Dear Mayor Dietz,Elk River City Council Members and Administrative Leaders,
In an ongoing manner the members of the Lake Drones Association,and its members in the Lake Orono Water
Quality Committee in particular,have had many discussions about the overall condition of Lake Orono. I am
submitting this fetter of concern on their behalf.We believe the lake usability has been experiencing a lengthy
period of gradual decline,the consequences impacting bath local qua ity of life and possible home values
decreasing as a result of the degraded conditions.
There are three distinct sets of background elements,timelines and patterns for our primary lake concems:
1.Sedimentation_Lake Orono depth and sedimentation really first became a major concern in the late 1980s
Wetook a couple of runs at building a coalition to address it,and a lake drawdown and sedimentation
removal was successfully completed in 1998. We projected at the time that it would need to be done again
in approximately 20 years,and that looks to be quite accurate-
2.Curly-leaf Pondweed:CLP became a major issue in 2001/2002 and we successfully navigated all the hoops
to get a permit to do a lake drawdown to freeze the CLP in late 2003. It worked well and we tried to get a
permit in 2004 to get the rest of it,but resident complained that turtles were disrupted in 2003 so the
DNR rescinded their initial approval and said we should do it earlier in the year-From then on the rules
kept changing to get a drawdown permit.The CLP continues to get worse each year. In 2009/2010 we
successfully obtained 83%of all lakes ho re owners signatures requesting a drawdown permit(by law 75%is
now needed)but the DNR turned us down saying in their opinion,"the problem wasn't bad enough-'
3.Native Plant Overgrowth and Algae Proliferation:Both of these became major issues in 2010-No one is yet
quite sure why it started then,but it also started happening at the same time in other lakes around the
state.A couple of things that we believe contributed:in 2009 we had very light to no snow cover on the
lake so a greenhouse effect may have been created,and we had a couple of years of heavy rainfall and
runoff that"flushed"both nutrients and plant material down the Elk Rivera nd tributaries to Lake Orono.
We have reviewed the long-term plans of the city as well as the park and recreation plan. We see goals related
to water quality and assume the lake itself is at least a portion of those goals.We are interested in entering
discussions with appropriate city representatives to see if there are steps in these goals and actions where we
maybe helpful and possibly give some input regarding our observations and concerns. Enclosed is a.map
depicting the main concerns outlined above.
We have heard some exciting things relating to increasing water activities through the Parks and Recreation
Department,but we have also heard of discussions on whether this body of water should be viewed and
maintained as a lake ora river.That decision could have significant implications on long-term conditions and
uses. Left unchecked,the encroaching vegetation and sedimentation will render a significant portion of the lake
unusable for boats,canoes,kayaks,swimming,fishing,pontoon rides,or even our volunteer efforts to collect
lake samples for testing.
While we do not pretend to have answers to all the considerations necessary for this discussion,we do have
some significant longevity and experience on the lake as well as a desire to protect what we feel is a major
community asset.We are in a unique position to give first-hand history and have the ability to provide large-
scale monitoring of conditions as any potential action steps are implemented.
We would welcome anopportunity to meet withthe parties involved in City long-term planning goals to help us
understand your thoughts and concerns regarding the future of Lake Orono as well as identifying anyway that
we can be helpful. Please contact me either via email ekbury@charter.net or phone(763)241-8887 to let us
know A any additional information is needed and when we could meet.
Sincerely,
Ed Bury,President
Lake Orono Improvement Association
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• Sedimentation Study — .January 2011 — LOIA
• Removal Options
— Best Management Practices
— Dredging (last completed in 1999 to last for 25 years)
• Feasibility Study
• Costs: $1 -3 Million
— Property assessments, general sales tax, city and others
funded
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Legend(identified high conoem areas) s° • • ! ! • s • !
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! 2012 DNR point-intercept sampling points
0 2012 DNR Curly-elf ponduveed location paints �°i c .� • • ! ! ! • ! •
Cufly-leaf pondweed i ! • • f • •
_ Sedimentation(same areas less than 1 112-21t) "
Native plant overgrowth(coordail,stargrass,saga,duckweed)
Spotty algae
Algae
May 2016 Lake Orono problems(as seen by residents)
5QM6,5fz3l16 Base:DNR Curly-leaf pocidweed surrey Mar 31,2012 ""
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• iManagement
— Hand-pulling
— Individual Contract Herbicide
— Demonstration Site
• Goals
— Limit other AIS
r
— Education
Demonstratio i
L�
• Sites: ;- ' .
a
— (2) Guardian Angels 25.21
— (4) Bridge 4.27
• $350-$570/acre
— (2) - $8,000-$14,500
— (4) - $1 ,500-$2,500
• Done by May 15 (50-600)
• Endothall
NativeVegetation Overgrowth
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Nativevergrowth
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• Management
— Individual Contract Herbicide
— Drawdown/Freeze
• 1998
• 2003
• Denied by DNR in 2010
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Algae
fks.:
• Management
— Upstream Nutrient Reduction
— Aquatic Plant Management
— Beach Closure (Blue-Green)
— Algicide application
L �
0 1 AMT
WaterQualityesting
• LOWQC (monthly)
— Secchi Disk Readings
g , .
— Total Phosphorus
— Chlorophyll-A
• WWTP
— Fecal ColiformY)
x weekly) BEACH
(
47, L SED
• Beach Closures a
= -
WIMMI
SWIMMING
Upstream Te s tin
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Lakeshore Buff6r.
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• property,
City-ownedLakeshore ownersY
• 25-feet preferred
• Erosion control
• Runoff infiltration
• Filter out pollutants
• Provide habitat for wildlife
• Aesthetic improvement
• SWCD Cost-Share - 75% of total project costs
Stormwate r
eY
TMDL Requirements Sub-Watershed Assessm nt
• C;i required to meet
Water Quality
Sampling
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mm ni i nanT' EducationAw
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• List Serve (LOIA)
LO IA website
Lake Orono 1
Improvement ' • • I Sign UP +Liked. *Message . City Web site
Associ'dion. Timeline About Photos Likes More
50 people like this ®Status QPhotof Vii Social Media (LOIA, City)
I. Invite{rends to like this Page
ABUUr >
• Robo-Dialer (alerts)
Lake Orono Improvement Association
0 Ask for Lake OronolmpmvementAss«nation's � Man:h1aF11:0EamElk River,MN,UnitedSAatesQ Direct Mailing (LOIA or
address •
For what it's worth,ice houses are to he off the lake March 7th.Weather
0 Ask for Lake Omno Improvement Asoaation's has boon up and down this year,so not many if any are out there anyway.
phone
Typically replies within a few hours ik Like ■Comment ni Share 0 city)
Message Now J�/
http2lwww.fakeorano.org/ 0 Lake Orono Improvement Association
Febmary 5.ti •
PHOTOS ? This surrey is from Minnesota Lake and Rivers Association,a group that Coalition of Lake
lobbies the legislature:
https:/Awww-survoymonkey.com/r/2016LakeAssocation:Bu"e,;W2...
I .
Associations
Lake Orono Management Plan
• Action Item Calendar — annual
• Action Plan DRAFT
• Updating the Lake Management Plan
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