RICE LAKE RESULTS

Date Sent – August 28, 2003
Number of Survey - 275	RICE LAKE RESULTS
Percent Returned – 50%

QUESTION 1	How would you rate the overall condition of Rice Lake this year as compared to previous years?
	MUCH BETTER	BETTER	SAME	WORSE	MUCH WORSE	DON’T KNOW
	93	19	12	8	6	1
Best in the 14 years we have been here. The lake still stinks in July and August Do it every year never been better. The best improvement in the lake occurred after purging the rough fish out. We should do the draw down every year. More weeds, less winter use, fewer fish.

Question 2	The specific purpose of the draw down project was to control the proliferation of Curley Leaf pondweed and Eurasian Water Milfoil. In your opinion, is the degree of weed growth this year:
	MUCH LESS	LESS	SAME	MORE	MUCH WORSE
	91	23	12	7	1	1
The weed kill is minimal and cleanup is non-existent.

Question 3	Did the draw down project of this past winter impact your recreational use of the lake during the draw down period?
	YES	NO				1
	20	115
I snowmobile on the lake and had to curtail it because of exposed rocks, creek bottoms, and other hazards. The draw down is not complete enough to do the job. Yes, very much. Extremely poor for recreation and wildlife!

Question 4	Do you support the use of future draw down projects as a lake management tool?
	YES	NO	NO OPINION
	114	12	11
Do it always so it works some times, as you never know. For once it worked, right year. Not every year – only as need. Continued drawdowns are the way for best results. Also need to ban phosphorus fertilizer in lake watershed. Yes – if it works! Yes – if you don’t kill the fish. We have not had a cold enough winter to make it work. An incredible improvement in lake quality. The fish seem better than before with fewer weeds. Yes, not every year, only when needed. Yes, definitely yearly. Misc. Comments – Very much improved lake quality. Happy lake homeowner. Thank you City Council & staff. The result was obvious – I can’t believe your wasting taxpayer dollars to ask these questions.