8/28/2009 - Elm Creek Watershed Project Plan for TMDL released to Rice Lake - Received formal Project Plan to address TMDL due to high nutrients within the Elm Creek Watershed, including Rice Lake. Click here for details of the 5-year plan. 8/27/09 - Lake Susan (Chanhassen) Carp Removal efforts results in Algae problems - After removing almost 80% of the carp population in the winter of 2008-2009, the lake water clarity improved dramatically until this August, when algae blooms clouded up the water. Click here for details. 8/23/09 - Sonic Solutions algae treatment units demonstration concludes - After running the 3 algae treatment units for a 3 month rental term, it was decided to return the units to the manufacturer without purchasing them. If any results were achieved, they were not found to be substantial enough to purchase the units to use full time. 7/28/09 - RLAA Board meets with Commercial Fisherman for Rough Fish removal discussion - We are actively pursuing a possible contract with a commercial fisherman to remove as many of the Carp on lake as possible. Consensus is that if the Carp are removed, the water quality (clarity) will improve. As we all know, the recent years algae blooms make the water less desireable for recreational use. 5/30/2009 - Sonic Solutions algae treatment units installed in 3 demonstration areas - RLAA is testing 3 Sonic Solutions anti-algae devices in 3 different quasi-contained locations. Trial is for 3 months while we rent the devices before deciding to purchase. 1/13/2009 - Lake Susan (Chanhassen) efforts to remove carp - More than 3,000 common carp were pulled out with a skein net through a hole cut in the frozen lake as researches continued their efforts to improve water quality on this shallow lake. For details of this event, click this link for the article and links to the video and photos. 10/9/2008 - RLAA welcomes Shadow Creek-area residents to association - Several RLAA board members met with residents to reintroduce them to the lake association. Many residents are new to the area over the past several years and were not part of the membership database. The board learned that these residents have different lake-related needs than those on the east side of I-94. Efforts are being made to organize those concerns within the association so action may be taken to improve those conditions (e.g.: Heavy weed growth; shallow channels; shoreline erosion; wildlife preservation; and more). 9/28/2008 - RLAA requests endorsement from State Legislature for Iron Filings Treatment for Curlyleaf Pondweed - RLAA files endorsement request to State Sen. Warren Limmer to support LCCMR request for funding to conduct further research on Iron Filings treatment for Curlyleaf Pondweed (click here for that request). 9/19/2008 - RLAA endorses Iron Filings Treatment for Curlyleaf Pondweed to the LCCMR - RLAA files endorsement letter with Rush Lake Improvement Association to submit to LCCMR for state funding. Click here for that letter. Rice Lake Newsbrief - The RLAA produced a 4-page newsbrief to remind our members and residents of what we are doing and how you can help us get there. (Click here for a copy of the newsbrief) RLAA Board Meeting Minutes from 8-10-08 Board held meeting on Rice Lake to discuss association financial situation and ability to afford a whole lake algae treatment. Concensus was we cannot afford it at this time, with monies already committed to other projects. (Click here for meeting minutes) Winter Fish Kill observed in early April 2008 Reports of dead fish were received beginning April 3rd as the ice breaks up. Most of these are located on the southwestern corner near the inlet from Fish Lake under the I-94 bridge. Most of the dead appear to be sunnies and crappies, although carp and other species were also observed. The local DNR Fisheries office suspects the deaths were due to low oxygen levels in the lake during the winter, which is not uncommon for shallow lake like Rice Lake during a long winter. Rice Lake Applications for City Funding via Lake Quality Commission (for Budget Year 2008) - February 20, 2008 - The following projects were presented to the LQC by RLAA representative George Schneider at the    monthly LQC meeting:      Projects Approved by LQC          Aquatic Plant Survey - Total Cost = $3,000; Requested funding = $2,000          Fish Survey - Total Cost = $5,000; Requested funding = $3,000         Sediment Nutrient Release Study - Total Cost = $3,000; Requested funding = $2,000         Monitor Sediment in Storm Water Ponds - Total Cost = $1,000; Requested funding = $500         Preventative Algae Treatment (Barley Straw) in limited area - Total Cost = $2,500; Requested funding = $1,500         Algae Treatment with Copper Sulfate (if necessary) - Total Cost = $8,200; Requested funding = $3,200 Rice Lake Applications for City Funding via Lake Quality Commission (for Budget Year 2007) - October 18 - The following projects were presented to the LQC by RLAA representative George Schneider on October 18th at the   monthly LQC meeting.       Projects approved by LQC - Algae Treatment for 2007 (if necessary) - Total Cost - $6,000; Requested funding - $1,500                                                  Winter Aerator #2 for 2007 (if necessary) - Total Cost - $4,500; Requested funding - $2,000       Projects withdrawn by RLAA - Curlylead Pondweed treatment for 2007 - Total Cost - $5,500; Requested funding - $2,000          (Curlyleaf growth does not appear to be an issue for the short term future, based on plant surveys conducted this season)       Projects covered by City of Maple Grove - Aquatic Plant survey for 2007 - Total Cost - $2,800; Requested funding - $2,000 - August 2006 - Sign up for the RLAA Summer Party on Saturday, September 16th at the Maple Grove Arboretum. Click on the   sailboats photo below for details and RSVP by regular mail or e-mail us at (ricelakeassoc@comcast.net). Algae Treatment Updates - August 18 - Additional application made on Elm Creek north of County Road 30 (missed the first round of treatment). - August 4 - Application #2 applied to the southern half of the lake and Elm Creek (north). This completes the treatment plan for   the season. The water has cleared up noticably and does not smell like it did previous to the treatment. - July 26 - Application #1 of Copper Sulfate treatment completed on northern half of lake. Treatment #2 for southern half of lake   scheduled for next week. - July 21 - DNR authorized permit for Lake Restoration to begin algae treatments with Copper Sulfate in reduced dosages over 3   applications. Treatment will begin week of July 24th. - July 16 - Lake level down about 1 foot below normal as of this weekend. No signs of fish kill as of this time and nuisance weed   growth (Curlyleaf Pondweed) continues to be at a minimum. Based on this limited problem weed growth, no drawdown is   planned for 2006-2007. - July 13 - RLAA submitted a total of 49 signatures (60%) approving of an algae treatment consisting of copper sulfate to be done   as soon as possible. This request has been submitted to Lake Restoration (Rogers, MN) for submission to the DNR for a permit   to apply. Thank you to those individuals who have supported this effort. Progress updates will be done on this page as activities   occur. Current secchi disk readings are at a low of 1.5 feet in the lake with the surface water temperature in the mid-80's. - July-August 2006 - Floating blue-green algae became a nuisance and was sprayed with Copper Sulfate during 3 applications:      north half of the lake - July 26      south half and creek north to County Road 30 - August 4      remaining creek north of County Road 30 to dam - August 18 May 28 - Buoy placed on NNW corner of lake on raised island. Depth approximately 2'. May 23 -  First aquatic plant survey for 2006 conducted today; Curlyleaf Pondweed is visible in some places, but not considered to be a nuisance at this time. May 2006 - Rice Lake Reforestation Project will begin for tree/shrub plantings between I-94 and the Park Trail just south of the Elm Creek channel entrance into the lake (Click here for details). - May 2006 - Local retailers are complying with state mandate to reduce phosphorous fertilizer sales. Click here for last 3 year trend comparison for 4 local retailers in the Maple Grove area. April 26 - The RLAA 2006 Annual Meeting was held on Wednesday, April 26th at Angeno's in Maple Grove (click here for details). March 12, 2006 - RLAA Annual Meeting will be held on April 26. Details will be mailed to all those who are or can be members. If you'd like to become a member, e-mail us at RiceLakeAssoc@comcast.net February 2006 - Are you having any success catching fish this winter on Rice Lake? Feel free to reply to this site's e-mail address with details at RiceLakeAssoc@comcast.net.

What's New with the Rice Lake Area Association?

Last Updated  11/14/2009

Visitors since September, 2006

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Whats New? ...and then some through 2009

8/28/2009 - Elm Creek Watershed Project Plan for TMDL released to Rice Lake - Received formal Project Plan to address TMDL due to high nutrients within the Elm Creek Watershed, including Rice Lake. Click here for details of the 5-year plan. 8/27/09 - Lake Susan (Chanhassen) Carp Removal efforts results in Algae problems - After removing almost 80% of the carp population in the winter of 2008-2009, the lake water clarity improved dramatically until this August, when algae blooms clouded up the water. Click here for details. 8/23/09 - Sonic Solutions algae treatment units demonstration concludes - After running the 3 algae treatment units for a 3 month rental term, it was decided to return the units to the manufacturer without purchasing them. If any results were achieved, they were not found to be substantial enough to purchase the units to use full time. 7/28/09 - RLAA Board meets with Commercial Fisherman for Rough Fish removal discussion - We are actively pursuing a possible contract with a commercial fisherman to remove as many of the Carp on lake as possible. Consensus is that if the Carp are removed, the water quality (clarity) will improve. As we all know, the recent years algae blooms make the water less desireable for recreational use. 5/30/2009 - Sonic Solutions algae treatment units installed in 3 demonstration areas - RLAA is testing 3 Sonic Solutions anti-algae devices in 3 different quasi-contained locations. Trial is for 3 months while we rent the devices before deciding to purchase. 1/13/2009 - Lake Susan (Chanhassen) efforts to remove carp - More than 3,000 common carp were pulled out with a skein net through a hole cut in the frozen lake as researches continued their efforts to improve water quality on this shallow lake. For details of this event, click this link for the article and links to the video and photos. 10/9/2008 - RLAA welcomes Shadow Creek-area residents to association - Several RLAA board members met with residents to reintroduce them to the lake association. Many residents are new to the area over the past several years and were not part of the membership database. The board learned that these residents have different lake-related needs than those on the east side of I-94. Efforts are being made to organize those concerns within the association so action may be taken to improve those conditions (e.g.: Heavy weed growth; shallow channels; shoreline erosion; wildlife preservation; and more). 9/28/2008 - RLAA requests endorsement from State Legislature for Iron Filings Treatment for Curlyleaf Pondweed - RLAA files endorsement request to State Sen. Warren Limmer to support LCCMR request for funding to conduct further research on Iron Filings treatment for Curlyleaf Pondweed (click here for that request). 9/19/2008 - RLAA endorses Iron Filings Treatment for Curlyleaf Pondweed to the LCCMR - RLAA files endorsement letter with Rush Lake Improvement Association to submit to LCCMR for state funding. Click here for that letter. Rice Lake Newsbrief - The RLAA produced a 4-page newsbrief to remind our members and residents of what we are doing and how you can help us get there. (Click here for a copy of the newsbrief) RLAA Board Meeting Minutes from 8-10-08 Board held meeting on Rice Lake to discuss association financial situation and ability to afford a whole lake algae treatment. Concensus was we cannot afford it at this time, with monies already committed to other projects. (Click here for meeting minutes) Winter Fish Kill observed in early April 2008 Reports of dead fish were received beginning April 3rd as the ice breaks up. Most of these are located on the southwestern corner near the inlet from Fish Lake under the I-94 bridge. Most of the dead appear to be sunnies and crappies, although carp and other species were also observed. The local DNR Fisheries office suspects the deaths were due to low oxygen levels in the lake during the winter, which is not uncommon for shallow lake like Rice Lake during a long winter. Rice Lake Applications for City Funding via Lake Quality Commission (for Budget Year 2008) - February 20, 2008 - The following projects were presented to the LQC by RLAA representative George Schneider at the    monthly LQC meeting:      Projects Approved by LQC          Aquatic Plant Survey - Total Cost = $3,000; Requested funding = $2,000          Fish Survey - Total Cost = $5,000; Requested funding = $3,000         Sediment Nutrient Release Study - Total Cost = $3,000; Requested funding = $2,000         Monitor Sediment in Storm Water Ponds - Total Cost = $1,000; Requested funding = $500         Preventative Algae Treatment (Barley Straw) in limited area - Total Cost = $2,500; Requested funding = $1,500         Algae Treatment with Copper Sulfate (if necessary) - Total Cost = $8,200; Requested funding = $3,200 Rice Lake Applications for City Funding via Lake Quality Commission (for Budget Year 2007) - October 18 - The following projects were presented to the LQC by RLAA representative George Schneider on October 18th at the   monthly LQC meeting.       Projects approved by LQC - Algae Treatment for 2007 (if necessary) - Total Cost - $6,000; Requested funding - $1,500                                                  Winter Aerator #2 for 2007 (if necessary) - Total Cost - $4,500; Requested funding - $2,000       Projects withdrawn by RLAA - Curlylead Pondweed treatment for 2007 - Total Cost - $5,500; Requested funding - $2,000          (Curlyleaf growth does not appear to be an issue for the short term future, based on plant surveys conducted this season)       Projects covered by City of Maple Grove - Aquatic Plant survey for 2007 - Total Cost - $2,800; Requested funding - $2,000 - August 2006 - Sign up for the RLAA Summer Party on Saturday, September 16th at the Maple Grove Arboretum. Click on the   sailboats photo below for details and RSVP by regular mail or e-mail us at (ricelakeassoc@comcast.net). Algae Treatment Updates - August 18 - Additional application made on Elm Creek north of County Road 30 (missed the first round of treatment). - August 4 - Application #2 applied to the southern half of the lake and Elm Creek (north). This completes the treatment plan for   the season. The water has cleared up noticably and does not smell like it did previous to the treatment. - July 26 - Application #1 of Copper Sulfate treatment completed on northern half of lake. Treatment #2 for southern half of lake   scheduled for next week. - July 21 - DNR authorized permit for Lake Restoration to begin algae treatments with Copper Sulfate in reduced dosages over 3   applications. Treatment will begin week of July 24th. - July 16 - Lake level down about 1 foot below normal as of this weekend. No signs of fish kill as of this time and nuisance weed   growth (Curlyleaf Pondweed) continues to be at a minimum. Based on this limited problem weed growth, no drawdown is   planned for 2006-2007. - July 13 - RLAA submitted a total of 49 signatures (60%) approving of an algae treatment consisting of copper sulfate to be done   as soon as possible. This request has been submitted to Lake Restoration (Rogers, MN) for submission to the DNR for a permit   to apply. Thank you to those individuals who have supported this effort. Progress updates will be done on this page as activities   occur. Current secchi disk readings are at a low of 1.5 feet in the lake with the surface water temperature in the mid-80's. - July-August 2006 - Floating blue-green algae became a nuisance and was sprayed with Copper Sulfate during 3 applications:      north half of the lake - July 26      south half and creek north to County Road 30 - August 4      remaining creek north of County Road 30 to dam - August 18 May 28 - Buoy placed on NNW corner of lake on raised island. Depth approximately 2'. May 23 -  First aquatic plant survey for 2006 conducted today; Curlyleaf Pondweed is visible in some places, but not considered to be a nuisance at this time. May 2006 - Rice Lake Reforestation Project will begin for tree/shrub plantings between I-94 and the Park Trail just south of the Elm Creek channel entrance into the lake (Click here for details). - May 2006 - Local retailers are complying with state mandate to reduce phosphorous fertilizer sales. Click here for last 3 year trend comparison for 4 local retailers in the Maple Grove area. April 26 - The RLAA 2006 Annual Meeting was held on Wednesday, April 26th at Angeno's in Maple Grove (click here for details). March 12, 2006 - RLAA Annual Meeting will be held on April 26. Details will be mailed to all those who are or can be members. If you'd like to become a member, e-mail us at RiceLakeAssoc@comcast.net February 2006 - Are you having any success catching fish this winter on Rice Lake? Feel free to reply to this site's e-mail address with details at RiceLakeAssoc@comcast.net.

Member of Minnesota Lakes Association (MLA)

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