IMPORTANT NEWS from Otter Tail County Coalition of Lake Associations

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Mother Nature will do her thing. We never know! Most of us have been happy with a warm and long fall season, but there are others waiting to snowmobile, ski or ice fish.

Sponsoring of the OTC COLA water quality monitoring program has been a major pursuit of the organization for over 20 years. In the quest for encouraging stewardship of Otter Tail County lakes, COLA maintains a program that facilitates the administration and the funding for Lake Associations to participate. OTC COLA has also appreciated the opportunity to pass on to Member Lake Associations a discounted rate from RMB Laboratories for sample analysis.

The results generated by analysis of water samples have been compiled for 2023. The data has been combined with historical records for inclusion into a ten-year trend analysis format. The tables of yearly readings have been incorporated into the individual annual Water Quality Analysis Reports and posted in the 2023 report library. Over 70 tables show individual analysis of sites on over 60 lakes represented by over 50 Lake Associations in Otter Tail County. 

For a good look at what OTC COLA does, check out the review of Major COLA Events and Campaigns. See the progress in engaging lake property owners since 2017. They focus on AIS prevention, shoreland preservation and demonstrate COLA's longstanding contribution to lake stewardship in Otter Tail County.

OTC COLA appreciates the donations it has received from foundations, Member Lake Organizations and individual lake property owners. It is also especially grateful for support from the Otter Tail County Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Task Force.

OTC COLA has established a long and distinguished reputation working with lake property owners for stewardship of Otter Tail County Lakes. We look forward to continuing to contribute to the effort of protecting and preserving our lakes.

To donate to OTC COLA please send your check to: OTC COLA 4302 13th Ave S, Suite 4-333 Fargo, ND 58103 Please direct questions to: John Kruse, OTC COLA Administrative Assistant otccola2@gmail.com

Are you a home gardener, plant enthusiast, naturalist, teacher of native plants, waterfront property owner, pollinator lover, or land/ water resource manager? Then you need to check out this new electronic resource by Patrick Goggin, Wisconsin Healthy Lakes & Rivers team members! This e-guide seeks to show and tell the story of all the gifts these native plants give us, and contains species profile pages for 112 different plants, each including these five topic areas:

1. Biology notes

2. Beneficial insects and other wildlife support

3. Seasonal interest notes

4. Complementary native plants

5. Water conservation and erosion control tips

In September 2023 OTC COLA and the East Otter Tail Soil & Water Conservation District sponsored the Shoreline Restoration Bus Tour highlighting the benefits of using native plants to preserve lake shoreline. See the article in the September 2023 OTC COLA E-Newsletter for more information.

Get the Guide to Native Plants (a.k.a. Local Beings) from the Wisconsin Healthy Lake & Rivers initiative www.healthylakeswi.com

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed the capture of 323 invasive carp on Thursday, Nov. 30 in Pool 6 of the Mississippi River, near Trempealeau, Wisconsin. Species captured were 296 silver carp, 23 grass carp, and 4 bighead carp. This is the largest single capture of invasive carp that has occurred in Minnesota to date. The capture was made possible by tracking tagged invasive carp, which led agency staff and contracted commercial fishers to them for removal.

We are seeking project proposals for funding from the Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership (MGLP) 2025 Lake Conservation Grant. The MGLP is one of twenty partnerships that span the nation under the umbrella of the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP). The MGLP area of focus is glacial lakes and their watersheds (see figure). Nine Midwestern states, numerous federal agencies, tribal governments, and private natural resource entities have been integral partners in the development and operation of the MGLP.

Go HERE for a review the benefits of joining MN COLA

David Helgerson, OTC COLA Director Liaison with MN COLA

Click HERE for the Annual Report

Spencer McGrew, OTC AIS Specialist

AIS * Water Quality * Administration * Regulation

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 Subscribe to the OTC COLA E-Newsletter

Roger Neitzke ∙ Ronald Christensen ∙ Scott Gaudette ∙ Sylvia Soeth

Bass Lake Underwood Association ∙ Berger Lake Association ∙ Big McDonald LID ∙ Boedigheimer 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 ∙ Lake Lida Property Owners Association ∙ 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

John Kruse, OTC COLA Administrative Assistant