Prior Lake to increase enforcement of new city dock ordinance. Link to article.

Alum Treatment on Upper Prior Lake Begins May 26th

We are very pleased to announce that the Prior Lake Spring Lake Watershed District received a grant for an alum treatment on Upper Prior Lake which will begin tomorrow (May 26th) and last 8 to 11 days. Alum safely binds phosphorous and prevents it from feeding algae blooms which cause green and nasty water. There are no restrictions on recreation (including swimming) on and in the lake during treatment but please steer clear of the alum barge. For the full article from the PLSLWD, please follow this link.

Also, you probably did not know that alum for the lake treatment is the same alum that you have in your spice rack. Article link.

Many thanks to the PLSLWD for securing the alum treatment grant. As always, thank you for your support and membership in the Prior Lake Association.

PLA Board
P.S. If you have not already paid your 2020 PLA dues, please follow this link to renew your membership.

Commercial Dock and Lift Installation Suspension Lifted

Update **News from the state earlier today about Executive Order 20-33 "Clarification added on April 13, 2020: Workers who install and support the installation of docks, boat lifts and other water related equipment and boat delivery" https://mn.gov/…/critical-worker-definitions-ACC_tcm1045-42…? (Page 17 at the top)**

Bottom Line: The professionals can get back on their barges and put everyone's docks and lifts in the water for the season.

Of course warmer weather would also be nice, but it looks like we have just a bit longer to wait on that. 😀

-PLA Board

COVID-19 and Ice Out Celebration Update

The PLA Board would like to extend our warmest regards to all of our members and anyone affected by COVID-19. This is obviously a very difficult time for everyone across the lake, our city and our planet. We have seen our schools close, local restaurants and businesses close, friends and family members laid off, long lines at the grocery stores, and a toilet paper shortage.  Many thanks to our members, citizens of Prior Lake, and local leaders in their efforts to navigate through these rough waters which make the 2014 flood seem like smooth sailing.

In response to the current situation:

- The PLA will be postponing the Ice Out Celebration and are working with Charlie’s to reschedule (hopefully in mid May) depending upon Charlie’s reopening date after the crisis subsides.

- The PLA will be making a donation to a local food shelf to support those affected by the crisis.

- The PLA will offer food delivery assistance to our vulnerable/high risk members and assist in similar programs for other members of the community in need. In the event of a high demand for these services we will be asking for help from the PLA membership to accomplish this important task. Please let us know if you are in need of assistance.

- The PLA is reminding all members to support Charlie’s and our other local restaurants which are still offering take out/curb side even though their great establishments are temporarily closed.  We would also like to encourage members to shop at and support all local businesses, many of whom are great supporters of the PLA.

Similar to the 2014 flood response, we are very proud to be part of an organization and community which steps up and helps our neighbors in times of need.

Many thanks for your membership and support of the Prior Lake Association!

Your PLA Board

Steve Reinders, President

Trevor Pope, Vice President

Woody Spitzmueller, Treasurer

Rick Germscheid, Secretary

Board Members

Amy Card

Julie Myser 

Kathy Dawson

Jen Longhenry

Meghan Stiling

Adam Proehl

Doug Johnson

John Teilborg 

Matt Schafer 

Tom Stephenson 

Carp Seining March 3rd, 10,000 Pounds!

Prior Lake Carp Fest 2020! Many Thanks to the Prior Lake Spring Lake Watershed district for removing over 10,000 pounds of carp from the lake today. Although this seining was not as productive as the 32,000 pound colossal catch two years ago, it is still a positive move in controlling the carp population. After netting, these lovely bottom dwellers are sent out of state by semi where there is surprisingly a market for them. No thanks!  Recent estimates showed Prior Lake to have far more carp than comparable size lakes. Being that the carp are bottom dwellers, they are continually churning up the lake bed and releasing nutrients into the water. This not only clouds the water but also feeds algae blooms which further impact water clarity and quality. Upper Prior is also currently scheduled to have an Alum Treatment which will prevent nutrients (released by carp activity and other sources) from feeding algae blooms. Please follow the Prior Lake Spring Lake Watershed District for updates and other ongoing projects to improve water quality. https://www.plslwd.org/

Charlie's on Prior shares $750 of the proceeds from the recent Beer and BBQ with the PLA!

THANKS again to Charlie's for asking us to partner with them for this great event. Looking forward to an even bigger event next year!

PLA Partnering With Charlie's Beer And BBQ Fest

Charlie's on Prior has graciously offered to partner with the PLA for their Winter Beer and BBQ Fest this Saturday February 8th, from Noon until 4pm. There will be live music, great food and beer tasting with over 20 local beer vendors participating. This should be a great event and part of the proceeds will go the PLA.

Tickets are $20 and include beer sampling and one smoked BBQ basket. Please click on this link to purchase tickets.

Looking forward to seeing you there! 


PS. We are in need of "Fire Bowls" for the warming fires planned for this event and all fires must not be directly on the ice! Please respond to this email if you would be kind enough to lend out your fire bowl for the afternoon. THX!

PLA Elvis Event and Fundraiser for Adaptive Ski Raises $14,122! Many Thanks to everyone who attended the Elvis Event for adaptive ski and donated money/purchased raffle tickets! Special thanks to Kevin Burkart for his generous Florida vacation donation and for the donors of the other raffle items.  The raffle brought in $6111 and this numbers was MATCHED by the Northern Tool and Equipment. Charlie’s donated another $900 and the PLA an extra $1000 for a grand total of $14,122.  Special thanks also to Rick Germscheid and his great Elvis Tribute performance. Fantastic Evening for a great cause!

Prior Lake Rotary Presents Fireworks Check to the Prior Lake Association

The Prior Lake Rotary who has been a great sponsor of the PLA Fireworks BOOM Fund, kindly invited PLA Pres Steve Reinders and Tres. Woody Spitzmueller to their last meeting for the presentation of a $1000 check to the fireworks fund. The Rotary is an international organization which volunteers their time and resources to countless causes across the planet. They also sponsor and organize the Prior Lake Music Fest. Many thanks to the Rotary for all their efforts and for their support of the PLA!

July Fourth Fireworks Donations Pouring In!

Many thanks to all the Local Business Contributors and donations form Prior Lake Association Members which will make the 2019 July 4th Fireworks Celebration a huge success!!! Full list of business contributors to come. THANK YOU!!!!

Hi Water/No Wake Zone Update

‘Assuming that this is not a surprise to most members, but all of Prior Lake continues to be a no wake zone due to high water. As of 5:00 PM today, the lake level was 903.91 which is 0.12 inches (yes, 1/8 of an inch) over the high water mark of 903.90 feet above sea level. Please remember that the city will not lift the no wake restriction until THREE days after the lake falls below and stays below the 903.90 level. At least this isn’t in the middle of the summer!

So why is the lake level going down so slowly? Simple plumbing. Currently, the outlet structure is operating at maximum capacity and draining Prior Lake at approximately 55 cubic feet per second. This will lower the lake about one inch per day if no water is running into the lake. However, Spring lake continues to flow into Prior Lake at about 50 to 55 cfs so we are only draining as fast as we are filling. To put that in perspective, Spring Lake was raging into Prior at 230 cfs during the 2014 flood.  In regard to a dam being placed between Spring and Prior, studies after the flood showed the dam put in place at that time to be questionably effective and installing a dam during peak water flow would risk flooding on Spring Lake. Dam construction also requires lengthy permitting from the DNR as well as permission from Spring Lake shoreline residents. Let’s just hope for no massive rainstorms in the near future!

2019 Ice Celebration a Great Success!

THANKS! to everyone who attended the PLA Ice Out Celebration last Saturday at Charlies on Prior! We are very pleased to announce that we had approximately 160 members in attendance to enjoy this great event. The weather was perfect and the staff at Charlie’s accommodated all our needs and provided great food and service. Items donated for our silent auction by the businesses and individuals below brought in over $2300 for the July 4th fireworks BOOM fund! Many, many, thanks for your generous contributions which make the fireworks and other PLA events and projects possible.

MN Inboards Water Sports

MN Vikings

REMAX Advantage

The Wilds Golf Club

Lakeside Family Eyecare

Great Outdoors Dock and Lift Service

Eric Westrum Insurance Agency

Tracker Marine

Transform Treasure

Allison Marie Design Sign

Eric Bentley

Matt and April Schafer Realty

Ray Jaochim and PAC USA

Complete Family Eyecare

One last shout out and thank you goes out the PLA board members and volunteers for their time and efforts in organizing this great event. Cheers to the Ice out!

Steve Reinders, President

Doug Johnson, Vice President

Woody Spitzmueller, Treasurer

Rick Germscheid, Secretary

Board Members:

Kathy Dawson

Matt Schafer

Julie Myser

Pat Hejhal

Trevor Pope

Kristina Kramer Johnson

Tom Stephenson

Volunteers:

Ray Jaochim

Diane Weirick

Seth Johnson

Jennifer Reinders

April Schafer

Dawn Germscheid

Prior Lake Association Plungers Debut 2019

Polar Plunge this Saturday! Join/Donate to “The Prior Lake Association Plungers”

This coming Saturday, February 16th, the Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics will be visiting Prior Lake. As many of you already know, this is a fantastic event for a great cause and a lot of fun for plungers and spectators. To honor this great event, we have created our own plunging team, “The PLA Plungers.”

So far, I am the only member of our team so am looking for fellow plungers OR if you would prefer to stay warm and simply donate to this great cause, your financial contributions are very much welcome.

Please click here to Donate or Join the PLA Plungers.

Thanks!!!

Steve Reinders, PLA President and Captain of the Plungers

PS. If you sign up to plunge, please email me at steve@thereinders.net or text 612-578-5675 so we set a time to meet at the event.

Feeling Lucky? Guess the Ice Out Date and Win a $150 Gift Card to Charlies on Prior