IMPORTANT NEWS from Otter Tail County Coalition of Lake Associations | | |
E-Newsletter
August 2025
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In This Issue:
- From The President- Sylvia Soeth
- Newville Speaker At August 21 Meeting
- Starry Stonewort Subject at July 17 COLA Meeting
- Symposium Summaries & References
- Swimmer's Itch More Terrifying Than Shark Attack!
- RMB - New Testing Capabilities
- COLA Speakers Wind Up Season
- Heart Of Lakes Trail Open
- MLR August 2025 Newsletter
- UMN- How Powerboats Impact Lakes
- UMN Extension Survey
- MAISRC- AIS Showcase Registration
- MAISRC- Help Shape Future Research
- MN COLA
- DNR- Zebra Mussels Confirmed in Ethel Lake
- AIS Prevention Aid Snapshot 2024
- AIS Prevention 2023 Report
- AIS Handbooks - Still Available
- OTC Board Of Commissioners Minutes
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www.lakeadmin.org - Featured Posts
- Instant Access Links-
Newsletter Article Index
Water Quality Analysis Reports (2024 Samples)
Lake Property Owner Directories (2019)
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From The President - Sylvia Soeth
What do you know about One Water One Plan? Is it good for Otter Tail County bodies of water? How will 1W1P affect your lake? Is there money available to protect our lakes? Who’s in charge?
Chances are you don’t know the answers unless you’re directly involved in 1W1P. The COLA meeting on August 21 will help us understand. Darren Newville from EOT Soil and Water Conservation District has been our speaker at several meetings in past years and we always learn from Darren! The East and West Soil and Water Districts are sources of information and partners in protecting and improving our valuable resources.
This is the COLA Annual Meeting and the last property owner meeting of this year. The COLA Board meets year round to organize and carry out the business of COLA. The newsletter is on otccola.org each month, thanks to Administrative Assistant John Kruse, to spread the latest information.
Join us on Thursday, August 21, at the Otter Tail Community Center. The cookies are really good!
Sylvia Soeth, OTC COLA President
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Newville Featured Speaker August 21 2025
The featured speaker for OTC COLA's August 2025 meeting will be Darren Newville. Darren is the East Otter Tail Soil & Water Conservation District, District Manager. Darren will present an update on the One Watershed, One Plan program. The East Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) was named SWCD of the Year for 2024.
One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) is a program sponsored by BWSR (Board of Water and Soil Resources) for locals to write a water plan on a watershed boundary. Traditionally, these plans have been written based on county boundaries but efforts are to move away from that model to one model based on watersheds. This is a beneficial change that will help plans be more cohesive and impactful. It will look at all the issues and protection needs in a watershed and prioritize them. Goals will be created to restore and protect the most important water bodies. Local governments, counties, Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) and watershed districts, will adopt these plans after the Board of Water and Soil Resources and other state agencies review the plans.
Join other lake property owners Thursday, August 21, 2025. All Minnesota lake property owners are welcome to attend OTC COLA meetings at the Ottertail Community Center, 93 Lake Avenue South, in Ottertail, Minnesota 56571. Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for coffee and cookies and a time of socializing and networking.
One Watershed, One Plan
Darren Newville, EOT SWCD District Manager
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Starry Stonewort - Meeting Topic
OTC COLA July 17 Lake Property Owner Meeting
The featured speaker at the OTC COLA lake property owner meeting on July 17, 2025 was Ezri Farnum. Ezri is the President of the Koronis Lake Association. Lake Koronis is located near Paynesville Minnesota. The lake has been combating the infestation of starry stonewort since 2015.
Starry Stonewort is a noxious, matting algae posing a clear and present danger to lake property values and the quality of lake experience across Minnesota.
The challenge of dealing with Starry Stonewort at Lake Koronis has proved formidable from the outset. Little was known about the Starry Stonewort when it was first detected in Lake Koronis in 2015. Stakeholders for the lake continue to pursue information and advice to formulate a consensus of how to battle the harmful aquatic invasive plant. Over the years a knowledge base has been compiled from local experts as well as from those outside of Minnesota. Lake Koronis is the largest Starry Stonewort management project in Minnesota.
Otter Tail Coalition of Lake Associations has sponsored two bus tours to Lake Koronis. The first was in September 2017 and other in July of 2022. Participants of the tours have indicated they were enlightened to the threat of Starry Stonewort.
Ezri related how starry stonewort has impacted Lake Koronis and described what the Lake Association continues to do to combat it.
Lake Koronis / Starry Stonewort slide presentation
Lake Koronis /Starry Stonewort Brochure
Ezri Farnum
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Symposium : Summaries, References
The Lake Property Owner Lake Stewardship Symposium on May 31, at Thumper Pond, at Ottertail City, was a tremendous success. Attendees have stated "excellent and look forward to your next event", "well run, speakers stay on topics and allow questions", "do another when you can", "great to visit with other lake property owners", "very well done, we want to come again".
Newsletter readers have requested selected summaries and references from the Lake Property Owner Lake Stewardship Symposium.
Plans are being made to organize an even bigger, better Symposium for next year. email otccola2@gmail.com to be sure to receive notice of the event.
Summaries, References
Spencer McGrew, OTC AIS Specialist
John Kruse, OTC COLA Administrative Assistant
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Swimmer's Itch
More Terrifying Than A Shark Attack!
The July issue of the OTC COLA E-Newsletter included an article reporting on the efforts of the Pelican Lake Association and the Pelican Group Of Lakes Improvement District to combat a serious outbreak of swimmer's itch on Pelican Lake. Interest in the article was measured as having the greatest interest by readers in the last 10 years!
An article in the Pelican Rapids Press contained the tongue-in-cheek headline "Swimmer's Itch More Terrifying Than A Shark Attack". It is assumed that interest in the subject has not diminished and that observations in Pelican Press's article, accessed with the link below, will offer additional perspectives not related before.
The Pelican Lake Swimmers Itch Task force has published a Q&A document addressing common questions and answers; some dispelling incorrect assumptions that have been previously raised.
Also published is an "Urgent Swimmers Itch Action Needed" request for lake property owners to help persuade the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) to issue a permit for the control of merganser ducks to abate swimmer's itch in Minnesota lakes.
More Terrifying Than A Shark Attack
Swimmers Itch Q&A
Urgent Swimmer's Itch Action Needed
Tax Hike Pelican Swimmer's Itch
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New Testing Capabilities
We’re excited to share that RMB has expanded our testing capabilities to better serve your analytical needs. We now offer:
Tannin and Lignin Analysis
Arsenic Speciation Testing (III & V)
These additions allow us to provide even more detailed water quality assessments, supporting a wider range of environmental monitoring and compliance projects. Whether you're working on source water evaluations, wastewater discharge permits, or specialized industrial applications, our team is ready to deliver accurate and reliable results.
If you’d like more information or to add these parameters to your next sampling event, don’t hesitate to contact us! Contact Shawn Witherspoon today to learn more about our new testing services at 612-258-4130.
Thank you for choosing RMB. We look forward to continuing to support your environmental testing needs.
Best regards,
RMB Environmental Laboratories Team
www.rmbel.com
RMB Laboratories provides analysis for OTC COLA's water monitoring program.
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COLA Speakers Wind Up Season
OTC COLA has provided speakers at summer lake property owner meetings for several years. It is an opportunity for COLA to reach out to Associations and lake property owners providing information and education for promoting stewardship of Otter Tail County lakes.
OTC COLA was active during the 2025 lake season providing speakers for Lake Association meetings of lake property owners. Jeff Vansteenburg, OTC COLA Environmental Director was the featured speaker at the Lake Property Owner meeting at the Ottertail Community Center on June 19. Scott Gaudette, OTC COLA Director, addressed the Lake Six Association on July 12. Jeff Vansteenburg performed double-duty on July 12 presenting to both the Silver Lake Association and the Eagle Lake, Lake Improvement District on the same day! He also spoke to the Pine Lakes Lake Improvement District on July 26. John Kruse, OTC COLA Administrative Assistant also participated speaking at the Wall Lake annual meeting on July 24.
A big THANK YOU goes out to these Lake Associations for inviting OTC COLA to speak at their meetings and giving COLA the opportunity to meet and greet lake property owners.
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Heart Of Lakes 32-Mile Trail
Now Open For Adventure
The long-awaited Maplewood State Park segment of the Heart of Lakes 32-mile trail has opened for hikers, bikers, and in-line skaters. The HOL trail offers something for every outdoor enthusiast, from its wildflowers to its wildlife.
Most of the ten-foot-wide trail was completed in 2022; however, the 3.8-mile Maplewood trail, which connects the Pelican and Perham segments, just opened for general use, connecting all segments of the trail.
MORE
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MLR August 2025 Newsletter
This newsletter is packed with updates, opportunities, and celebrations from across our freshwater movement. Thank you for being part of it. We can’t do this work without you. If you haven’t joined or renewed your membership yet, now is the perfect time. Become an Advocate! Together, we can protect Minnesota’s lake heritage—lake by lake by lake.
Warm regards,
Sami Selter,
MN Lakes and Rivers, Associate Executive Director
www.MNLakesAndRivers.org
August Newsletter
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How Powerboats Impact Lakes
Below The Surface
Large surface waves produced by powerboats are a mainstay for recreational watersports. A new study from the University of Minnesota shows that beneath the surface, factors such as propeller thrust and other types of waves can impact delicate lakebed ecosystems.
Researchers at the University’s St. Anthony Falls Laboratory built on previous research to study the effects of powerboats on lake ecosystems over the 2022 and 2023 field seasons. The team placed acoustic-based sensors that measured pressure and velocities through the water column and at the lake bottom at two different locations and at two different depths. They also collected sediment samples and data on various water quality parameters.
MORE
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UMN Extension Survey
My name is Olivia Olson, and I work with both UMN Extension in Otter Tail County and with the EOT SWCD. I am currently carrying out a county-wide needs assessment to see how Extension can be the most helpful for county residents, and I would like your assistance in reaching out to the members of COLA/lakeshore homeowners for their feedback. I have a 2-3 minute online survey for individuals to take that allows them to share their preferences on what they want to learn about and how. I am also happy to come and talk about this in person with those interested in that format, whether that be a presentation at a lake association meeting or a conversation with an individual.
Let me know if you are able to help share this out, and I am happy to talk about this more if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Olivia Olson
University of Minnesota Extension | https://extension.umn.edu/
olso7655@umn.edu | o. (218) 998-8303 | c. (218) 282-5963
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AIS Showcase- Registration is open!
We are excited to announce that registration is now open for the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center's AIS Research and Management Showcase. This event is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet our researchers and learn about the latest tools, information, and technologies being developed at MAISRC.
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
Time: 7:45 AM - 5:30 PM
Location: St. Paul Student Center, University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus (Google map)
Tickets: $50; discount codes available
Parking: Hourly parking available in the Gortner Parking Ramp and daily rate parking available in lot #S101 and #S106. Disability parking is available on Buford Ave. There are also some metered parking spots available on this campus. Visit Parking and Transportation Services for rates and maps.
Cancellation policy: 100% refund until Tuesday, September 30th at 11:59pm CDT. No refunds available after Wednesday, October 1st at midnight CDT (GMT-05:00).
MORE
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Help Shape Future Research!
Every two years, the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) embarks on a process to identify the most pressing aquatic invasive species (AIS) questions and challenges that are impacting our state, in order to prioritize them for future research.
One way we accomplish this is to offer the chance for you to share your biggest AIS concerns. Whether you're a professional in the field, a property owner, or someone who cares about Minnesota's waterways, we invite you to participate - anyone can take the survey!
If you have questions, please email MAISRC. The survey should take no more than 5 minutes, and will close on September 22nd.
AIS SURVEY
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Ethel Lake, near the town of Ottertail in Otter Tail County.
A DNR staff person found zebra mussels attached to native mussels while visiting Ethel Lake.
Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:
- Clean watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
- Drain all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
- Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
- Never release bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
- Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days before moving them from one water body to another.
These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:
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Decontaminate watercraft and equipment – find free stations on the courtesy decontamination page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/decon).
- Spray watercraft and equipment with high-pressure water or rinse with water if high-pressure water is not available.
- Dry watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another water body.
People should contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist (mndnr.gov/invasives/ais/contacts.html) if they think they have found zebra mussels or any other invasive species that are not already known to be in the waterbody.
More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/ais).
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AIS Prevention Aid Program Snapshot 2024
The AIS Prevention Aid Program Snapshot is prepared annually for submission to the state of Minnesota outlining use of funds provided for control of aquatic invasive species in Minnesota lakes and rivers. The Snapshot for 2024 has been created and submitted to the state of Minnesota. Supporting details for the Snapshot will be published in the Annual AIS Prevention Report currently in the process of being compiled.
Spencer McGrew. Otter Tail County AIS Specialist
`AIS Prevention Aid Program Snapshot 2024
AIS Prevention 2023 Report
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AIS Handbooks Now Available
The enthusiastically acclaimed AIS Handbook sponsored by the Otter Tail County AIS Task Force is now available. The Handbook will be distributed to lake property owners, resort owners, and civic organizations in Otter Tail County. Quantities can be reserved from Otter Tail County Land & Resource 218-998-8095. Besides disseminating AIS prevention best practices in the Handbooks, the AIS prevention information will also be published in area newspapers and included in social media posts.
AIS Handbook for Visitors and Residents
AIS Handbook for Visitors and Residents Cover
Spencer McGrew, Otter Tail County AIS Specialist
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OTC Board Of Commissioner Minutes
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OTC COLA Board of Directors
David Helgerson ∙ Jeff Stabnow ∙ Jeff Vansteenburg
Roger Neitzke ∙ Ronald Christensen ∙ Scott Gaudette ∙ Sylvia Soeth
OTC COLA Members
Bass Lake Underwood Association ∙ Berger Lake Association ∙ Big McDonald LID ∙ Boedigheimer Lake Association ∙ Buchanan Lake Association ∙ Clitherall Lake Association ∙ Dead Lake Association ∙ Devils Lake Association ∙ Eagle Lake Lakeshore Association ∙ East Battle Lake WS Association ∙ Elbow Lake Association ∙ Franklin Lake Association ∙ Hoffman Lake Association ∙ Jewett Lake Association ∙ Lida Lakes Improvement District ∙ Lake Lizzie Lakeshore Association ∙ Lake Seven Association ∙ Lake Six Association ∙ Leaf Lakes Association ∙ Little McDonald Kerbs and Paul Lakes LID ∙ Long Lake at Vergas Association ∙ Loon Lake Association ∙ Marion Lake Association ∙ McDonald Lake Improvement Association ∙ North Long Lake Association ∙ North Turtle Lake Association ∙ Otter Tail Lakes Property Owners Association ∙ Pebble Lake Lakeshore Association ∙ Pelican Lake Property Owners Association ∙ Pickerel Lake Improvement Association ∙ Pine Lakes LID ∙ Prairie Lake Lakeshore Association ∙ Round Lake 56-214 ∙ Rush Lake Association ∙ Silent Lakes Association ∙ Silver Lake Property Owners Association ∙ South Turtle Lake Improvement District ∙ Spitzer Lake Property Owners Association ∙ Stalker Lake Association ∙ Star Lake Property Owners Association ∙ Stuart Lake Association ∙ Swan Lake Association ∙ Sybil Lake Association ∙ Tamarac Lake Association ∙ Ten Mile Preservation Association ∙ Trowbridge-Leek Lake Association ∙ Wall Lake Association ∙ West Battle Lake Association ∙ West McDonald Lake Association ∙ Wymer Lake Association
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