Prior Lake Smarts
Slow Down in No-Wake Areas - July 17, 2010
In addition to marked “No-Wake” buoys in narrow channels throughout the lake, there is a permanent no-wake area around the entire shoreline of Prior Lake. This area extends 150 feet out from shore. Some property owners have installed orange buoys to indicate this no-wake area. This means that boaters hould travel slowly, with a closed throttle at idle speed. The legal definition defines no-wake as “no white bubbly water behind your boat and a speed of 5 mph or less.”
The State of Minnesota Water Resources Center is inviting everyone to take the survey, “Minnesotans and their Water.” This survey is required by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment voted and passed in November 2008. The survey will guide the spending priorities that will use the 3/8 of one percent sales tax that has been collected this past year. The tax will be in effect until 2034 In other lake news the water elevation as of Wednesday July 14 was 901.42. The clarity has decreased to 2.5 feet, and the surface water temperature was 80 degrees. Enjoy your lake, get a 2010 Minnesota Boating Guide (free at sporting goods store, etc.) and refresh yourself on safe boating rules and details.
Second Boat Safety Clinic Offered May 22 - May 15, 2010
Due to an unprecedented demand the Prior Lake Association will offer another boating safety clinic from 8AM to 12:30PM on Saturday May 22 in the lecture hall at Prior Lake High School, 7575 - 150th St., Savage. There is a $5 fee and advance registration is required. Call 952-226-0080 to register for Course 2555 with Prior Lake-Savage Community Education. This course is required to receive the required operator permits/licenses. The students will complete a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) workbook. This workbook will be sent to the DNR for grading, and if successful a permit/certificate will be mailed back to each student. This clinic is co-sponsored by the Prior Lake Association, Prior Lake -Savage Community Education, Scott County Sheriff's Dept. and the DNR.
In other Prior Lake Assoc. news, we will start our fundraising for the Fourth of July fireworks on June 1st. Anyone can contribute - just go to our Firworks page and donate via PayPal. We will also be sponsoring our annual "Dive the Lake" clean-up on Saturday June 5th. The dive will be conducted from 8AM to noon at Captain Jack's on Prior Lake. If you are a scuba diver or would like to be involved in providing a diving boat/pontoon, please call Donna at (612) 964-6808.
In other lake news, the water clarity in upper Prior Lake as of Wednesday, May 12 was 8 ft. The water elevation increased to 901.18, and the water surface temperature was 53 degrees. Enjoy our lake; help keep it clean by properly disposing of all trash and unused bait in waste containers on shore.
Fishing Season starts Saturday, May 15th - May 8, 2010
As the boating season really gets going next weekend for the fishing opener, here is a quick refresher on some water rules and good boating practices. A U.S. Coast Guard approved life vest should be readily accessible for each person on board. Seat cushions do not count. All children under 10 must wear a lifejacket at all times while in the boat.
Watercraft registration and fishing licenses should be current. Last season's fishing licenses expired on April 30, 2010. A white light, generally at the stern of the boat, visible 360 degrees, must be on at night when at anchor. When underway, the bow lights must also be on - red light on the left side and green light on the right side. All boats should have a proper anchor with at least 50 feet of rope with the bitter end securely tied to the boat. Also another rope 25 feet or longer for towing in an emergency; a horn or a loud whistle; and paddles or oars.
Be responsible for the safe operation of your boat, and give other boats plenty of leeway or space, especially boats fishing or trolling slowly. It is unlawful to operate a watercraft so that its wash or wake endangers, harasses or interferes with other watercraft, persons or property.
In other lake news, the water clarity in upper Prior Lake as of Wednesday, May 5 was 19 feet. The water elevation seems to have stabilized and was at 901.10. The water surface temperature was 57 degrees. Enjoy being on the lake, and good luck for the anglers. Think about safety and be courteous so that we can all return safely to shore.
Temporary Lake Structures Need Permits - May 1, 2010
A reminder to all lake residents - a Scott County permit is needed before placing a swim platform, a floating trampoline ("Rave" type), a boat mooring buoy or any other temporary structure that will be left out on public waters overnight. These structures cannot be placed more than 75 feet from shore, and they must have reflective material visible from all sides. The permit number must be marked or painted on the structure. This information is in the Minnesota DNR Boating Guide. Contact the Scott County Sheriff's office (952-496-8300) to obtain any of the permits required.
Congratulations to the 65 young people who attended the Prior Lake Association boat safety class last Saturday, April 24th. They were an attentive group that absorbed the information presented by Scott County Sheriff's Water Patrol Deputy Bret Krick and Prior Lake Association instructor Woody Spitzmueller with help from other Prior Lake Assoc. members Tom Stephenson, Jerry Nevonen and Frank Fourre. We welcome this new group of boaters who have learned courteous and safe behavior on the water. The DNR certificate will be mailed to each student within a few weeks. This is the largest group we have had in many years of presenting this boating course.
In other lake news, the water clarity of upper Prior Lake was 15 feet as of April 28; the water elevation was 901.20, and the water surface temperature was 57 degrees. Enjoy your lake, keep it clean, wear your PFDs, and think and practice safe boating.
Protect Lakes when Caring for Lawns - April 17, 2010
The spring-time urge to get our yards in shape is great, but remember that how we care for our yards affects the health of our rivers, lakes and wetlands. Everyone lives in a watershed which means that rainwater running off our property into the streets and then into storm drains can carry soil, nutrients, bacteria and other harmful materials into the waters we love, and are concerned about. Grass clippings, tree seeds, and leaves are sources of phosphorus which is released into water when they decompose.
Mow your property so that the grass clippings are directed back onto the lawn and not into the street. Covering bare areas on your property with mulch and planting native or other suitable ground cover will prevent soil eroding from those areas and filling in wetlands, clogging rivers and lake bottoms. Learn more about protecting our water by visiting the "Minnesota Water – Let’s Keep it Clean" website at
www.cleanwatermn.org.
Reminder - Register for the Prior Lake Association boating safety clinic being held Saturday, April 24th from 8am to 12:30 pm. Call 952-226-0008 to register for Course 2555 with Prior Lake-Savage Community Education.
In other lake news, the water clarity in upper Prior Lake as of Wednesday, April 14 was 6.5 feet. The water elevation has increased to 901.18 (actual reading.) The surface water temperature was 53 degrees. Enjoy the open water, think about safety, and be courteous so that we can all return to shore safely. See you on the lake!
Boat Safety Clinic - April 10, 2010
The Prior Lake Association will be offering a boat safety clinic on Saturday, April 24th at the lecture hall at Prior Lake High School, 7575 - 150th St., Savage. It runs from 8am until 12:30pm. There is a $5 fee and advance registration is required. Register online or call 952-226-0080 to register for Course 2555 with the Prior Lake-Savage Community Education. The instructor will discuss safe boat handling skills, new boating and watercraft ordinances, navigation procedures and aids, safe boating and watercraft techniques.
This course is required to receive the required operator permits/licenses. The students will complete a Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) workbook. This workbook will be sent to the DNR and a permit/certificate will be mailed back to each student. Each student should bring a pencil. Students will also see demonstrations of techniques and equipment used by the Scott County Sheriffs Water Patrol by Deputy Bret Krick and DNR Conversation Officer Adam Block. Lunch will be provided by Prior Lake Dominos Pizza following the clinic. This clinic is co-sponsored by the Prior Lake Association, Prior Lake-Savage Community Education, Scott County Sheriffs Dept. and the Minnesota Dept of Natural Resources.
In lake news, the ice went out on upper and lower Prior Lake on Wednesday, March 31, helped by above-average temperatures and a strong south/southeast wind. The inflow stream from Spring Lake is running strong. The estimated water elevation is about 900.75. Enjoy the open water, but use your personal floatation devices (PFF), as the water is shockingly cold.
Lake Docks and Boat Lifts - April 3, 2010
As docks and boat lifts are being placed in the lake this spring, consider your neighbors' lake views and property rights before planning your lakeshore use. Don't locate or design temporary structures that cause users to encroach into any nearby dock-use area. To avoid interfering with your neighbors' property rights, position your docks so that mooring and maneuvering of watercraft can be confined within property lines as if they were extended out into the water. Some local units of government have adopted ordinances regulating docks because of lakeshore conflicts. These ordinances are based on Minnesota Statutes 103G, Public Waters Work Permit Program Rules, Chapter 6115.
The Prior Lake Association is again sponsoring its Annual Boat Safety Clinic along with Prior Lake-Savage Community Education, the Scott County Sheriff's Water Patrol, and the Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources. The clinic will be held at Prior Lake High School on Saturday, April 24th from 8am to 12:30pm. There is a fee of $5 to attend and advance registration is required. Call 952-226-0080 to register for Course #2555. All students who complete and pass this course will receive a boating certificate which allows operation, with some age restrictions, of motor boats and personal watercraft. The class is required by the DNR for all 12 year-olds and up. Lunch will be provided by Prior Lake Dominos Pizza following the clinic.
The inflow stream from Spring Lake is running well into Prior Lake. Hopefully, next week we will be able to take an accurate lake elevation reading. Now with open water the elevation reading can be taken by boat. The bottom portion of the elevation gauge was broken off last summer, so the readings this spring have only been estimated. Enjoy your lake and the open water soon.
Black Ice on the Lake - March 27, 2010
Prior Lake is now in the black-ice stage. That is when the lake ice thickness erodes to between 4 & 12 inches, and the ice transforms into long vertical crystals called "candles." These candles absorb light much better than solid ice, so the ice starts to look black because it is not reflecting much sunlight. Eventually wind will sweep the remaining ice from the lake. As the ice sheets are pulled and pushed ashore, the remaining ice is generally in chunks up to 7 inches thick and honeycombed-shaped. These chunks often cause damage to the shoreline and will bend and even destroy docks or lifts that were not pulled high enough above the water elevation. Sometimes the ice can make loud, long booming sounds caused by the expansion of ice during the spring warming trend. As it expands, the ice buckles, causing it to crack and scrape, which then causes booming sounds to echo around the lake.
Normal ice-out dates for Prior Lake are April 10-15, with upper Prior Lake being ice-free a few hours before lower Prior Lake. This year we should be ice-free during the first week of April.
In other lake news, the inflow stream from Spring Lake is showing some "white water" rapids. This has created several hundred feet of open water by the DeWitte area boat launch area. The lake elevation has slowly risen to 899.82. Enjoy your lake and the open water coming soon.
Ice-Out is Near - March 20, 2010
The ice-out process starts with the ice retreating from the shore, creating a belt of open water next to the shore with a water temperature of about 45 degrees; this is the current condition on Prior Lake. The ice beyond the open water becomes gray, soft and rotten while the main ice sheet turns dark. Eventually, above-freezing temperatures, sunshine and wind , with the help of possible rain, will sweep the remaining ice from the lake. Ice-out is said to occur when at least 90 percent of a lake is free of ice. Normal ice-out dates for Prior Lake are April 10-15, with upper Prior Lake being ice-free a few hours before lower Prior Lake. Ice-out has occurred on March 27, 2006, April 6, 2007, April 21, 2008 and April 4, 2009.
The Prior Lake Association is again sponsoring its annual watercraft safety clinic at Prior Lake High School from 8:00am to 12:30pm on Saturday, April 24th. There is a charge of $5 to attend and advance registration is required. Call 952-226-0080 to register for Course No. 2555. Lunch will be provided by Prior Lake Dominos Pizza following the clinic.
A nature note: wood ducks and hooded merganser ducks are returning, and are looking for nesting sites (tree cavities and nest boxes.) Both species are tolerant of human activity. In other lake news, the inflow stream from Spring Lake is running well, showing some "white water" rapids. This is creating open water where it flows into upper Prior Lake. The lake elevation has slowly risen to 899.62. Enjoy seeing the ice melt away, and stay safe.
Young Boat Operators have Restrictions
Motorboat Operator age restrictions (except personal
watercraft):
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Under 12 years of age: 25 hp or less - no restrictions
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25 hp to 75 hp - must have someone at least 21 years old on board within reach of the controls.
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Over 75 hp - cannot operate, even with an adult on board.
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For those 12 -17 years of age: 25 hp or less - no restrictions.
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Over 25 hp - Must have either a watercraft operator's permit or someone at least 21 years old on board within reach of controls.
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Personal Watercraft Operator age restrictions, regardless of horsepower:
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Under 13 years old - cannot operate, even with an adult on board.
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At 13 years of age must have either someone at least 21 years old on board or have a watercraft operator's permit and be in visual supervision by someone at least 21 years old.
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From 14 - 17 years old: must have either a watercraft operator's permit or someone at least 21 on board.
The Prior Lake Association is again sponsoring its annual
boat safety clinic at the Prior Lake High School from 8 am to 12:30 pm on
Saturday, April 24th along with the Prior Lake-Savage Community Education
Dept., the Scott County Sheriff's office, and the Minnesota DNR. There
is a charge of $5 to attend, and advance registration is required. Click
here or call 952-226-0080 to register for Course #2555. Lunch will
be provided by Prior Lake Domino's Pizza following the clinic.
In other lake news, water is visible on top of the ice so
use caution during this late ice season. The lake elevation was 899.51
the first week of March, but it will be rising as the snow melts.
Enjoy your lake, and we'll see you young boat operators on Saturday, April
24th.
Learn Boating Rules Before Ice-Out
All boat operators have the responsibility to learn, understand and practice
good boating and water safety practices. Now, in the non-boating
season, is the time to do that. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) publishes several small booklets, including the yearly "Minnesota
Boating Guide," a summary of laws and rules which is free at marinas and
bait stores. Another one is "Boating and Water Safety" by Swalley and
Elverum whose contents are approved by the National Association of State Boating
Law Administrators, and is recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard. For
those boaters who desire more detailed boating knowledge there is the
ultimate authority, a large book titled "Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat
Handling" by Charles F. Chapman. The Prior Lake library has this book.
There are several organizations that conduct classes on boating, such as the
U.S. Power Squadron and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. The Prior Lake
Association sponsors an annual spring boating clinic. This year's
clinic is Saturday, April 24 from 8 AM to 12:30 PM along with Prior
Lake-Savage Community Education Dept., the Scott County Sheriff's office
and the DNR. This year there will be a charge of $5 to attend.
This class is required by the DNR for 12 year-olds and older to get a boating
certificate. More details in coming weeks.
In other lake news, the inflow stream from Spring Lake is still flowing into
upper Prior Lake, as it has been all winter long. Enjoy your lake as
the winter season comes to a close, and help keep our lake clean by picking
up all trash on the lake, whether it is yours or not.
Plan Now for Shoreline Improvement
Ice-out
is only four to six weeks away. Now is the time to think about
planting a buffer strip at the water's edge. This will have a major
impact on improving our lake's water quality. Native plants are far
superior to non-native plants because their deep roots (several feet) draw
water from rain and snow deep into the soil. This helps minimize
runoff. Runoff from properties that abut a lake, stream or wetland enters
those water resources directly.
Native
plants have thrived and adapted to our area and have been growing in our
area for thousands of years before this area was "settled." They add
variety and interest to a landscape with dozens of plants to choose from
that are certain to flourish in a variety of soil types and light
conditions. It's easy to design a native plant buffer strip or garden
that produces blooms all season long. Once established, native plant
gardens need very little weeding, watering, mulching or mowing and are
virtually maintenance free. Native plantings eliminate the need for
replacement plants, annuals, fertilizer, or pesticides. Over thousands
of years the weak varieties succumbed, and only the strong have survived to
our time.
Reminder
-- the deadline for the Prior Lake Association's photo contest is February
28th. Submit an 8x10 photo to the Prior Lake
Association, PO Box 88, Prior Lake, MN 55372. The photos cannot be
returned.
Do Not Release Live Bait Back into the Lakes
When fishing with live bait such as minnows, do not
release them into the lake, winter or summer, when you have finished
fishing. The main problem is that the live bait can have a variety of
fungus, diseases and internal and external worms that can attack our native
fish. Another exotic species is the zebra mussel which can be
transferred in this manner. Even though we do have a small population
of zebra mussels in Prior Lake, let's not help them expand in Prior Lake or
to any other lake.
Saturday, February 20th, the Prior Lake
Association will be judging occupied ice fishing houses from 1:00 to 3:00
pm. No registration or entry fee, but you must be present so the
judges can evaluate your structure inside & out; attempts to bribe the
judges may or may not be effective. All ice fishing houses and
shelters must be off the ice in our area of the state no later than midnight
Sunday, February 28th. After this date portable shelters
may be placed on the ice and used from one hour before sunrise to midnight,
but only if there is an open fishing season on the lake.
Prior Lake got some unwanted publicity recently about the
trash being left on the ice this winter. Leaving trash on the ice is a
crime that carries a financial penalty. The Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) patrols our waterways; they can issue citations and
fines as large as $2000. Even if you don't litter, be a responsible user and
steward of our lakes and waterways, and pick up all trash you come across
when ice fishing or using your snowmobile.
In other lake news, the surface water temperature is 34 degrees, and the inflow stream from Spring Lake is gently flowing. There was interesting information from last week's article by Jonathan Cohen, Prior Lake observer for the Scott County Soil & Water Conservation District. The soil temperature just 4 inches below the ground surface is above freezing, ranging from 36 to 34 degrees from the recent reporting period. Evidently the ground just below the surface has not frozen due to the thick snow cover.
Enjoy your lake. We hope to see you at your ice
fishing house Saturday afternoon.
Clean Up Prior Lake or Pay Up
Prior Lake got some unwanted publicity with an article in
the Minneapolis paper this past week about the trash being left on the ice
this winter. Research indicates that trash hogs are 10% or less of the
total population. Leaving trash on the ice is a crime that carries a
financial penalty. Minnesota DNR officers do patrol our waterways, and
with GPS units mark fish houses with messes around them. They can
issue citations and fines as large as $2,000. Items such as
appliances, batteries, propane tanks and tires can add as much as $200 each
to the fine. Even if you don't trash, be a responsible user of our
lakes, and pick up any trash you come across. We all thank you.
The Prior Lake Association will hold its annual Ice House
Judging Contest on Saturday, February 20th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Each
ice house must be occupied to be judged. No entry fee--no registration
required. An appropriate prize will be awarded in several categories,
i.e. best appearance, best look, comfiest, historic, etc.
The Prior Lake Assn Photo Contest deadline is February
28th. The annual photo contest is open to anyone in the community.
Submit an 8x10 photo to the Prior Lake Association, P.O. 88, Prior Lake, MN
55372. The photos cannot be returned. Cash prizes are awarded
for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd places.
Lake Smarts articles are written by the Prior Lake
Association and printed weekly in the
Prior Lake American
newspaper.
