INFORMER

BIG SAUK LAKE ASSOCIATION

SPRING EDITION 2015

From the President,

Greetings Fellow Members of the BSLA.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Just one year ago, this column reflected on the first days of 50's and
President
60's following a winter and "spring" which was etched in our minds as
Bob Bjork
(320)351-2513 rather nasty. This spring is one to rejoice in as we have already
experienced numerous days of 50's, 60's, 70's and even a couple of days in the 80's.
Vice President
Now, a welcome succession of rainy days have stimulated growth of the thirsty plants in
Tim Weir
(320)352-3318 our lawns, flower, vegetable gardens and crop land. To me, there has been an explosion
(Lake Watch North Half)
of plant growth. Even lilacs are blooming. It will be interesting to see the effects of the
earlier spring on aquatic plant growth. Does an earlier, wetter spring suggest a drier, less
Secretary
Wayne Yokiel
(763)560-8615 rainy summer? We will find out!
Quite recently I was invited to give a talk to our local Rotary Club, with emphasis on the
Treasurer
history of our organization and to touch on our activities since its inception. I thought I
Rick Jennissen (320)352-6905 would share with you some of the highlights of this history and conclude by bringing readers
up to date on the present time, the spring of 2015. It is likely that a number of our members
Vern Beckerman
have had lake homes dating back to pre -1980's. Other, more recent members may only be
(Lake Watch S. 1/2)
(320)352-3732
familiar with lake condition in the years of the 21st Century. I say this because even though
my wife and had bought our present home in the mid 60's, on County Rd. 24, (now Brick
Mike Blenkush
(320)290-2496
yard Rd.), I paid little attention to any existing Lake Association. I'm sure we witnessed the
(Membership)
excessive weed growth and algae blooms and complained incessantly about it. However, I
Jerry Beuning
(320)352-3921
read about a meeting called by the Sauk Lake Improvement Association for 7:00 PM on
Kevin Baartman
(763)413-0943
October 20, 1986. 30 people were present including myself. The meeting was held at the
offices of the City Water, Power and Light Department. Two staff members of the St. Paul
Jeff Mayer
(320)352-0055
Office of the Army Corps of Engineers were present. Dave Vandesteeg presided.
I believe that attendance at this meeting was eye-opening for me. chase of equipment to conduct mechanical removal of aquatic
Published minutes of that meeting, revealed that action was taken weeds. The original device, a weed puller, built in 1972, was wearto address drainage from the Fairy Lake area into Sauk Lake. More ing out and obsolete for various reasons. Sometime in 2000, there
significantly was that a Congressional bill to clean up Sauk Lake had was again a change in the Presidency. I would be amiss not to menadvanced through the House and Senate and was now on President tion the contributions of the Directors who served during that first
Reagan's desk for his signature. I learned later that it had a price decade. Future projects included continuation of the fund-raising
tag of a whopping $8M . There were two other speakers present effort started earlier. Lake residents contributed $11K in cash and
from the ACE. They discussed a plant control project that had offered volunteer service equivalent to $10K, totaling $21,000. The
already begun It was a 50%-50% cost sharing project. A "problem SRWD received a grant called a CWP or a Clean Water Partnership
assessment" had been completed which was 100% Federally cost grant. Volunteers were recruited to begin volunteer monitoring of
funded. They also described a cost-benefit analysis concerning our lake and tributaries. We improved our presence at our booth at
property values and compared them to similar lakes in the vicinity the Stearns County Fair by improving its appearance and having
which were weed free. Using 7.2 miles of lake property, the matching games for children in lieu of winning inexpensive gifts.
improvement would be $166,000 per year. If both recreation and Our attendance has ranged from 650-750 per year. Earlier, a group
property values were improved, the total benefit was estimated at of volunteers including citizens and Directors met several times with
DNR Aquatic Specialist Ed Feiler to create a Vegetative
$700,000 per year!
Apparently there was more than one attempt to create a viable Management Plan to specify how a Weed Harvester would operate.
lake association. Members were generally citizens living within the Initially a 10 year Plan, it was recently updated to reflect the new
City Limits. The official Big Sauk Lake Association was formed by a plan to control aquatic invasives.
As our calendars were adjusted for the 21st Century, lake weeds
dedicated group of property owners living primarily on the North end
of the lake. They formed a Board of Directors, set up meeting and algae concentrations became intolerable. The mechanical hardates, obtained State Incorporation, and formulated a set of By- vester was operating daily, cutting navigation channels in the non-litLaws. One of the By-Laws, addressing the Lake, stated "Inquire toral zone and also for individual property owners to navigate out to
into civic abuses and to seek reformation thereof." I assume there these channels. The BSLA decided, in early 2007, to hire
was concern about the continued degradation of the lake. In 1994, Professional Lake Management (PLM) to conduct a 15 acre (later
then President, Darrell Maas said, "the water quality was the worst reduced to 10) test spray using Aquaqthol-K to eliminate curly leaf
I have seen in years." The following sequence is abbreviated due pondweed in the test plot. The plot was on the SW Bay of the lake
to space. In 1995, Elaine Jensen became President, There was a on the western side. On May 14, 2007 the spraying was completed
proactive effort to engage the Todd County Commissioners in followed by a PLM inspection report on May 29, 2007. I quote from
upgrading compliant septic systems. Sometime in 1996, Tom their report: " It is estimated that over 70% of the whole area had
Fischer was elected. Major projects included successful fund-rais- been completely controlled with approximately 30% of the area with
ing projects to purchase two Civil Defense Sirens. Member Don a significant reduction. It should also be noted that it may up to 21
Spehn was a major player in their acquisition. The fishing dock days for plants to completely fall and the survey was performed 14
accessible from the City Park was completed. The Annual Fund days following." The report also identified the four properties that
Raising Dinner was begun as other fund raising projects. At this were individually treated for clp, one on Saukview Dr., one on
time, a "young" SRWD had applied for a grant to investigate/control Lakeshore Drive, and two on Birch Drive.
Presidents letter continued on page 2
of point-sources of water pollution and assist the City in the pur-

Presidents letter continued from page 1

Many of our readers recall this event. I am repeating it once more

because of the unsubstantiated charges that BSLA has contributed in
some massive way to destroy the weed population thus reducing the
fish population. It is now 8 years later. The skeptics must be assuming that Aquathol molecules are still circulating and have replicated
themselves (like cell DNA), to kill invasive weeds. They are able to
navigate into the N.W. Bay even against the water currents that flow
from N. to S.!!
Previous newsletter have kept you informed about issues dealing
with the SRWD's decision to stop mechanical harvesting and shift to
chemical treatment. This was followed by a Project Agreement signed
by SRWD, City of Sauk Centre and the BSLA. Subsequently, the
BSLA acquired a contractor,
Lake Restoration, to conduct a survey for clp in 2014 . The cost
was borne from the accrued fund of tax levies held by the SRWD.
Some 93.4 Acres of clp were identified in that mapping report. This
spring, the SRWD filed a request for a spray permit just in case one
was needed. I signed that permit.
A second survey was carried out by a DNR crew identifying 17.8
acres that could be sprayed. Finally, the DNR approved spraying of
slightly over 12 acres.
The Association was granted up to $9460 to conduct a herbicide
application. Any grant money not used must be returned. In order to
complete the grant application, it was necessary to acquire a vendor
and a vendor number. We sent bids out to three companies and
selected CLARKE, a company located in Clearwater, MN. We believe
this company conducted its spray operation on the early morning of
May 15th. Next is receipt of a report and final settlement of the cost.
One would have had to be away from Minnesota or the Nation for

On The Lighter Side

Editor makes no promises about these remarks. Other than that, I

hope you enjoy. All were from internet sources.

HOW ABOUT SOME RELIGIOUS HUMOR -----------------

Pay special attention to the wording and spelling. The more you
know about the Bible, the more hilarious these answers are.
They are said to authentic- nothing has been retouched.

Lot's wife was a pillar of salt during the day but a ball of fire during the night.
Samson slayed the Philistines with the AXE of the Apostles.

The first commandments was when Eve told Adam to eat the
apple.

Adam and Eve were created from an Apple Tree. Noah's wife
was Joan of Ark. Noah built and Ark and the animals came on
in Pears.

Moses died before he ever reached Canada then Joshua led

the Hebrews in the Battle of Geritol.

Solomon, one of David's sons had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.

Jesus was born because Mary had an Immaculate

Contraption.
The Epistels were the wives of the Apostles.

St. Paul cavorted to Christianity. He preached Holy Acrimony

which is another name for marriage.
Christians have only one Spouse. This is called Monotony.

CARE TO TEACH A RELIGION CLASS?

HAVE A GREAT DAY.

that matter not to be aware of the concerted efforts to control Aquatic

Invasive Species particularly zebra mussels. Past INFORMER articles
have attempted to keep our readers informed concerning creation of
comprehensive plans in both Todd and Stearns Counties to control
introduction of this species into our lakes. Part of the completed plans
provides funds to hire "Water Guards" to act as "sentinels" at our lake
access points.
These "guards" have been hired and will be visible at the North
access (in Todd County) and the two accesses in Stearns (Highway 71
and the City Park) . We were awarded about $6400 to pay for the
Guards. We are not responsible for paying or supervising them.
Should you encounter one or more this summer,
thank them for doing this service. Don't gripe and balk when they ask
for permission to inspect your boat.
This column is concluding with a note on carp. We have agreed to
enter into a contract with Mr. Campbell to harvest up to 120,000 lbs of
carp next winter. More on this at our Annual Meeting.
I realized that this is the 25th Anniversary of the BSLA. While many
projects have been completed and many hours have been expended,
Sauk Lake still is classified as having hypereutrophic conditions in the
SW Bay and eutrophic conditions in the NW Bay. Overall, it is hypereutrophic. I have asked before in this column, "What kind of a lake do
you want?" Remember its classification. Our Annual Meeting is coming soon. Check out the information about it in other parts of the
newsletter. Bring you questions and concerns as well. Our Board
hopes to see many of you there. PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING AS A
NEW DIRECTOR.
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER.

$QG\V

SAFE STEP
Bridging the Gap
Between the Dock and the Boat

Does
the
space
between your dock
and boat seem to get
wider each year? We
FDQ KHOS WKDW VLWXDWLRQ ZLWK $QG\V 6DIH
Step. This rotomolded step attaches to
the rail on your boat lift and goes up
down as you raise or lower your boat
making for easy access. This step fit
most lifts with a 2 inch rail.
nd
Mark Anderson, 1624
2 S.
St
Sauk Centre, MN 56378
320-352-6933 or
or
320-352-6933
[email protected]
[email protected]

For more information call or e-mail Mark a

Pheasants Forever -- Spring Time Pheasant Activities

Editor's Note: Reader's will recall that THE INFORMER has often
included articles on animals and plants other than fish or fishing.
Credit is given to the Stearns County SWCD for this article which
appeared in their Spring Publication.Joe Orr - is the Stearns County
Pheasants Forever Biologist

Spring is upon us and soon rooster pheasants will be fighting for

companionship. Beginning in early March and peaking in early May,
roosters scatter from winter cover to establish territories (3-10 acres
in size ) and attract hens by crowing. On average pheasants move 2/3
of a mile between winter cover nesting habitat, but some may move
as much as 1 1/2 miles. Each rooster will typically breed 3-7 hens.
Fierce battles between roosters are not common, as most disputes are
settled with bluffing, but sharp spurs and pointed beaks can be used
as sometimes deadly weapons.

After breeding, the hen will begin nesting by laying one egg a day
typically starting in mid to late April, and will continue until her
clutch is complete (usually around 10-12 eggs). The hen alone is
responsible for the incubating process, which lasts 23 days and starts
the day she lays her last egg of the clutch. A complete nesting cycle
from laying to hatch usually takes around 37 days. This makes midApril to mid-June an extremely vital time for the reproduction success of the pheasant.

The three main factors for nest failure during this period are: nest
disturbance by haying/cutting (Flushing bars on farm equipment can
save hens), predators (fox, raccoon and skunks), and the weather. A
wet spring can equate to low nest success. Pheasants will have only
1 brood per year, but if their nest or eggs are destroyed, they will try,
try, and try again to be successful. Nesting takes a lot of energy, and
with each re-nest the clutch size size is reduced. Eventually a hen's
energy reserves are exhausted or not enough time remains during the
nesting season for a hen to successfully hatch a nest, and she will
give up. Her success averages around 50% in areas without much

nesting cover, and more than 70% in areas where there is good
amount of nesting cover.

Pheasant chicks are born to run, and can leave the nest and follow
the hen in search of food within hours of hatching. A pheasant
chick's main diet is insects, but to be able to get to those insects, the
pheasant chick needs good brood rearing habitat. Good brood rearing habitat means good lateral, and overhead concealment from predation, since they are being hunted themselves by most everything
with teeth and talons. From a hatch of a dozen chicks, six will survive until the pheasant opener.

Yet broods also require openness at ground level ( approximately

30%) to feed freely throughout the stand (and to escape should trouble show up). This why Native Grasses and Native Wildflower
Plantings are great for pheasants. Several species of Natives are
Bunch grasses (grow in clumps) which helps create that 30% ground
opening that the pheasant chicks require, and the wildflowers attract
the insects that the chick's diet requires.

CRP is a great way to put more pheasant habitat on your property. If you have small, odd shaped, unproductive cropland on your
property, maybe CRP is a way to help with the bottom line in your
operation, and create wildlife habitat at the same time. Give us a call
at the SWCD, and let us help you.

17 1/2 x 21 1/2 Map

Fully Laminated$5
26 1/2 x 34 Map
Not Laminated$10
Send check or money order
along with your name, address,
and phone number to:
Big Sauk Lake Association
Box 282
Sauk Centre, MN 56378

A TALE OF CARP REMOVAL

Editor's Note: Many of you may have seen this article in the Minneapolis Star
Tribune last March. I chose to replicate it here because the reporter refers to the debate
about removing too many carp. What are your thoughts on this debate?

For BSLA information, notices, and lake-related links

or to contact us.

6,000 pounds of invasive species removed from Silver Lake to improve water
quality.

There were no catch limits on this fishing trip at Silver Lake in the north metro,
and the fisherman used a backhoe to lift and load their haul - 6,000 pounds of
invasive carp. When they were done pulling more than 1,100 fish out of the
water (Wednesday), the back of a pickup was full of squirming carp packed in
snow.

The professional fisherman who hauled the invasive carp out from under the
ice of the St. Anthony lake were doing so to improve water quality. The result:
The lake is now nearly rid of the invasive fish, whose bottom-stirring presence lowers water quality. Wednesday's yield was bigger than a one-day carp
catch last year of about 3,800 pounds.

But the methodical removals have generated some debate, because fewer carp
mean more weeds. More than a decade ago, Silver Lake, which straddles the
border of Anoka and Ramsey counties, was designated "impaired" by the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency because of elevated phosphorus levels,
which fuel algae blooms.

Carp eat aquatic vegetation and stir up sediment on the lake bottom, releasing phosphorus in the water. The fish have found their way into waters like
Silver Lake in minnow buckets and by swimming up ditches and other waterways.

Silver Lake's shoreline neighbors - the Three Rivers Park District, the Rice
Creek Watershed District, Ramsey County, the state Department of Natural
Resources and the cities of St. Anthony, New Brighton and Columbia Heights
- agreed to remove as much of the lake's carp population as possible. It's
thought that population peaked at 1,300 fish in 2013.

"What we are doing is looking at this carp removal as a best-managment practice,"said Tony Havranek, a senior environmental scientist with the
Minneapolis-based WSB & Associates, who is overseeing the project. "It's not
a silver bullet, but it's one tool in a suite of tools that we are going to apply
to a water body to improvewater quality and habitat. Another such tool, he
said, is managing stormwaterflow.
Generally, scientists like to see 89 pounds of carp per acre of water or less.

Author: Shannon Prather, STAR TRIBUNE

This site is courtesy of the

World Wide Web Foundry, LLC.
A BIG thank you to BSLA member,
Lynn Woodward.

More On The Lighter Side

Ramblings of a Retired Mind------------

I was thinking about how a status symbol of today

is those cell phones that everyone has clipped
onto their belt or purse. I can't afford afford one.
So, I'm wearing my garage door opener.

You know, I spent a fortune on deodorant before I

realized that people didn't like me anyway.
I thought about making a fitness movie for folks
my age and call it "Pumping Rust".

I've gotten that dreaded furniture disease. That's

when your chest is falling into your drawers!

Did you ever notice: The Roman numerals for

forty (40) are XL.

When you are dissatisfied and would like to go

back to your youth, think about and take a refresher course in Algebra.

I was thinking about how people seem to read the

Bible a whole lot more as they get older. Then it
dawned on me. They were cramming for their
finals! As for me, I'm, hoping God grades on a
curve.

For information

on advertising in

($25 per Year: Jan. 1Dec. 31, 2015)

the INFORMER

Name:
Mailing Address:

call:

Mike Blenkush at

Phone No:
E-mail Address:
Please cut out and include with your payment to:

BSLA, Box 282, Sauk Centre, MN 56378

!" #

The Big Sauk Lake Association is a Minnesota nonprofit corporation, and a tax-exempt, environmental
organization under Article 501 (c) (3) of the U. S. Internal Revenue Code.

320-290-2496 or
E-mail:

[email protected]

Below is a listing of BSLA Residential and Business members who have paid dues for calendar year 2015 as
of May 8, 2015.
"
# $%! for your support of Big Sauk Lake and the Sauk Centre community!

!
Alice & Jim Abraham
Frank & Nancy Ademite
Dennis M. Anderson
Kevin & Leisa Baartman
John & Cindy Banovetz
Kevin & Mari Banz
Tim & Jeni Barker
Rick & Jodi Bass
Daniel & David Beck
Vern & Sue Beckermann
Betty Lou Berg
Ron & Ann Bergemann
Jerry & Kaye Beuning
Roger & Susan Beuning
Chad & Trista Beuning
Marian Bielke
John & Gail Bieniek
John & Jan Bieringer
Big Sauk Lake Coop
Bob Bjork
Jim & Bernice Blacksher
Mike & Betty Blenkush
Russ & Edith Blue
Jim Boyer
Mark & Brenda Breitbach
Andrew & Teresa Burlet
Dick & Sue Cardinal
Barbara Carlson
Wendell & Clara Christensen
Dennis & Kathy Christianson
Jim & Barb Cooper
Ken & Sara Cornell
Richard & Linda Cross
Ervin & Raeanne Danielowski
Robert & Colleen Diercks
Steve & Debbie Dierkhising
John & Lorna Dierks
Jon & Charlotte Dockter
James Dolan
Duffy - Lind
Philip Ehresman
Tony & Irene Felling
Mike & Judy Felling
Jean & Pat Fiedler
Tom & Edie Fischer
Marty & Deb Fitzgerald
Kitty Fobes
Robert Friedl
Greg & Darla Gilb
Bonnie & Roger Grapper
Gary & Lois Grave
David & Kathy Grussing
Larry & Mary Gustafson
Ed & Sara Hackenmueller
Benedict & Claire Haeg
Jack & Karen Haley
Richard & Barbara Halvorson
Heather & Tom Hamilton
Kristine Hansen
Harry & Alta Hanson
Rick & Cindy Haroldson
Cindi & Jerry Hefferan

Maggie Heinen
Scott & Abbey Henderson
Richard & Grace Henning
Larry & Debbie Herke
Bill & Deb Hildebrand
Mark & Barb Hilgers
Dean B. & Dawn Hilgers
Jim & Liz Himanga
Paul & Shawn Hintzen
Alyce Hintzen
Lawrence & Barbara Hittle
Ken & Kathy Hoeschen
Bob & Sue Hoffman
Kris & Chrissy Hokanson
Randy & Denise Hommerding
Stan & Dorothy Hortness
Tim & Mary Janish
Dan Jaros
James & Bernadette Jennissen
Rick & Laurie Jennissen
Brenda & Patrick Jennissen
Dean & Elaine Jensen
Derek & Kim Johnson
Mike & Lori Jost
William Kellogg
Greg & Jeanie Klasen
James & Valerie Kluver
Ed and Marnie Korteum
Chuck & Bev Kortuem
Mark & Gwen Kranz
Marge & Bob Lackmann
Bill Lanik
Robert & JoAnn Larson
Brent Lavoi
Larry & JoAnn Lawinger
John & Laura Lepowsky
Maxine Lobejko
Mike & Chris Long
James & Mary Maddox
Skip & Lyn Manoski
Darlene & Dave Mareck
Lucas Martin & Sara Olmanson
Jeff & Carol Mayer
John & Karla McCarey
Peg and Lance Mead
Steve & Fran Messerli
John W Meyer
Patricia Meyer
J&J Miller Family Trust
Jerry Moffitt
Lanny & Darlene Moyer
Gary & Nancy Mueffelmann
Patricia Musenbrock
Ken & Judy Nelson
Ken & Mary Nelson
Gerry Newgaard
Chereen Norstrud
John Olson & Jeanne Lally
Laurie & Paul Overbeck
Gilbert & Treonne Panitzke
Herb & Alice Peters
Rod and Jeanne Pettit

Ed & Sue Pfeifer

Vern & Jeanette Pfeifer
Mary Ann Polipnick
Dupper Polipnick/Deb Shapro
James & Shana Rachey
Roger Reinardy
Joe & LuAnn Reznicek
Shirley Rice
Marjorie D. Ripperton
Paul & Juliana Robischon
Stephen & Amy Rothstein
John Rucinski
Arthur & Lorraine Schapp
Kathy & Denny Schiebold
Mark & Shellie Schreier
Ellie Scott
Keith & Jean Sjurseth
Don & Jan Spehn
Jason & Minnow Speidel
Dorothy Stadther
Arnold & Joan Sticha
Jeff & Kathy Stickles
Warren Stone
Wanda Storie
Kathy & Dale Struffert
Bob & Linda Swanson
Lawrence & Dolores Terwey
Vic & Lorrayne Traut
Dwayne & Judy Trisko
Joe & Katie Uphus
Dennis & Dorothy VonBank
Gene & Debra Walter
Roy Walz
Bruce & Barb Wanquist
Dwayne Weiner
Brian Weinzierl
Tim & Jo Weir
Marcia & Chuck Weisbrich
Cathie Wendell
Gary Winter
Leroy Wolbeck
Bill Wroge
Joe & Sharon Wyffels
Wayne & Mary Jo Yokiel
Dale & Jan Zaczkowski
Victor & Trisha Zeiher
Jim & Mary Zilka
Kevin & Joan Zimmer
Patrick Zwilling

Ann R. Mitchell, Attorney

Big Sauk Resort
Birchwood Resort
Boomerang Marine
& Powersports, Inc
Central Minnesota
Federal Credit Union
Centre Graphics
Centre Sports, LLC
City of Sauk Centre
Country Cat, Inc
Godfather's Exterminating, Inc
Mainstreet Press
Minnesota National Bank
Mitch's Dyno Tuning
Sauk Centre Conservation Club
Sauk Centre
Public Utilities Commission
Stearns Electric Association
Tree Top Nursery & Landscaping
Verizon - Home Town Solutions
Westside Liquor
Worms Ready Mix

! " !
#

LA
KE

Saturday, May 23, 2015

8 amBreakfast Served By Youth Group
8:30 amBusiness Meeting
SAUK

First Lutheran Church, (Elm St. & Sinclair Lewis Ave.)

Please enter via southwest entrance to basement.
GUEST SPEAKER: Sabin Adams, Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist
from Todd County, will give a presentation on conservation projects
such as buffers, pollinator plantings, prairie restorations, grazing
systems and others that improve habitat for wildlife and
water quality.

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Box 282
Sauk Centre, MN 56378

Big Sauk Lake Association

TAKE
A

MOVE A

TAKE
ACTION
CLEAN, DRAIN,
DRY

SERVICE REQUESTED

BI

Sauk Centre, MN 56378

PRSRT STD
PERMIT NO. 15
U. S. POSTAGE PAID