The long, cold winter of 2000-2001 preceded an above-average winterkill of fish in the early spring. Several hundred fish carcasses were seen floating along the shoreline of Rice Lake and into Elm Creek. Crappies, sunfish, perch, bass, and some rough fish were all victims claimed by Mother Nature. (Note: The Rice Lake Area Association (RLAA) will investigate options to aerate portions of the lake in the winter to prevent future natural fish kills.)

Last year, Lake Restoration, Inc. of Rogers sprayed Rice Lake after Memorial Day. They applied a chemical herbicide to approximately 15% of the lake, per Minnesota DNR restrictions, following the shoreline of the most populous areas. The effect did seem to help reduce the growth of Curlyleaf Pondweed, but many of the native plants seemed to accelerate more than normal. Portions of Elm Creek (on both sides of Rice Lake) and the northeast corner of the lake were heavily matted with algae well into the late summer, preventing navigation and recreation in those areas. Small craft like paddleboats were unable to traverse through the waters with such thick growth. Matting was so heavy in Tristan Bay (the northeast corner of the lake) that the fountain aerator had to be shut down and 'cut free' of the growth. The extended filter screen was actually deflated by the intake of all the debris.

Lake and creek fishing activity was also restricted by the heavy matting of weeds and presence of algae on the surface. The slow fishing activity seemed to be brought on by several factors: 1) Heavy vegetation growth along the shorelines, and 2) Natural harvesting of surface fish by cormorants (waterfowl) in the spring.

Fall brought up the discussion of a drawdown request, but it ended up being too late to get DNR approval. The Association was thankful to hear the Lake Quality Commission (LQC) and City of Maple Grove subsidized 50% of the spraying done in the spring to reduce the Curlyleaf Pondweed growth. During this past winter, the RLAA has discussed plans for treatment this coming season. Bids will be secured to spray again for Curlyleaf and the association is asking members to be "on call" for possible weed cutting, if necessary. Members will also be investigating options to reduce shoreline erosion, especially at the northeast corner of the lake and up Elm Creek toward the dam.

• Rice Lake is the largest of the 7 lakes in Maple Grove at 333 acres, with Eagle Lake 2^nd at 285 acres.
• Others include: Fish Lake - 239; Weaver Lake - 165; Cedar Island Lake - 80; Pike Lake - 75; Edward Lake - 33
• Over 100 square miles of watershed drain into Rice Lake.
• Only Rice Lake has the ability to easily do a drawdown of the lake level, utilizing the dam by the Maple Grove HS.
• Rice Lake has the largest public access to pedestrians via a biking/walking path around the entire perimeter.
• Only Rice Lake (of the 7 city lakes) is completely encircled by a public biking/walking path.
• There is no Public Access for Boat Launching on Rice Lake
• Fish, Weaver, Eagle all have Boat Launch facilities
• A channel averaging 8-9 feet exists along the Elm Creek entry and exit on the lake.
• Deepest part of the lake is 14 feet (near the center).
• The State (interstate highway) or City of Maple Grove owns over 50% of the property around Rice Lake.
• The die off of masses of Curlyleaf create hazardous fish conditions, raising lake ammonia and sulfide gas levels in the water, which is harmful to the fish community. (I.e.: Curlyleaf kills fish, not drawdowns.)
• Rice Lake residents are not required to pay RLAA dues, but are requested to contribute.
• Other lake associations such as Fish and Weaver collect enough from residents to host annual parties.

• Drawdowns are costly.
• False - The only cost involved in conducting a drawdown on a lake such as Rice Lake is the time it takes to remove the boards at the dam. There are no other costs involved.
• Drawdowns are cheaper than other forms of lake management plans, including:
• Commercial Weed Harvesting
• Volunteer Weed Harvesting (need to pay for equipment, boat fuel, etc.)
• Chemical Spray application
• Chemical Granular application
• Drawdowns disrupt the natural environment
• False - There is nothing more natural than lowering a water level to allow nature to take its course.
• Having less water in the lake for a certain period of time would restore it to a more natural condition
• A drawdown can reduce the non-native species of weed (CurlyLeaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water Millfoil), but maintain the native species population
• Drawdowns Kill Fish
• False - Lowering the water level without emptying the lake does not kill fish. The fish will congregate in an area where there is sufficient oxygen to sustain life. Previous drawdowns have reduced the water level by less than 33%, providing plenty of oxygen for fish to survive.

• 1995
• Rice Lake adopted a 5-year Lake Management Plan
• RLAA begins discussion of doing Lake Drawdown to help control Curlyleaf Pondweed investation
• Water Clarity and Quality at lowest level in years
• 1996
• Fish kill observed in Spring
• First drawdown done Winter of 1996-97
• 1997
• 1996-97 Drawdown had a positive impact on Curlyleaf Pondweed growth this summer
• Storm Sewer stenciling initiated by RLAA
• City of Maple Grove conducts survey to all lake residents
• Second drawdown done in Winter 1997-98
• 1998
• Rice Lake Task Force created by Lake Quality Commission and City of Maple Grove
• Third drawdown done Winter 1998-99
• 79 of 176 (45%) of 1997 surveys were returned with these responses in their Rated order:
• What do you enjoy most about your lake? (1-Aesthetics; 2-Wildlife; 3-Boating; 4-Fishing)
• What is the current Water Quality of your lake? (1-Poor; 2-Fair; 3-Good; 0-Excellent)
• Since you have lived on this lake, the quality has: (1-Degraded slightly; 2-Degraded considerably)
• What do you see as the biggest problem? (1-Algae; 2-Water Quality; 3-Weeds)
• How is your yard maintained?
• Fertilized: 1x per year - 12; 2x - 23; 3x - 24; 4x - 2
• No Fertilizer: 16
• Vegetative Buffer: 37
• Flower Garden: 23
• Naturally Landscaped: 22
• Vegetable Garden: 15
• Who do you think is responsible for Paying and Protecting the lake?
• 1^st - City of Maple Grove
• 2^nd - Lake Property Owners
• 3^rd - Hennepin County
• 4^th - Lake Association
• How do you rate the access to your lake? (Adequate - 96%; Not Enough - 3%; Too Much - 1%)
• What effect did the 1996-97 drawdown have? (Improved - 56%; No Change - 40%; Degraded - 4%)
• What is your opinion on doing future drawdowns? (Favor - 63%; No Opinion - 22%; Oppose - 15%)
• Are you a current member of Rice Lake Association? (Yes - 60%; No - 40%)
• 1999
• Tristan Bay installs fountain aerator to help move water and reduce algae matting
• No drawdown was conducted this year
• No weed spraying was done (per DNR requirements for 2 years after a drawdown)
• 2000
• No weed spraying was done (per DNR requirements for 2 years after a drawdown)
• 2001
• Fish kill observed in Spring 2001
• Curlyleaf Pondweed sprayed shortly after Memorial Day by Lake Restoration, Inc.
• Results of spraying were favorable in improving water clarity
• Native weed growth surged
• Tristan Bay aerator (even with extended filter) seized up from heavy algae concentration
• City Council tabled the request from Rice Lake Area Association to do a drawdown for 2001-2002
• No drawdown was conducted this year

1. Rice Lake improvement in all areas for the past 2 years (1999-2000) is attributed to the drawdowns conducted from 1996-97, 1997-98, and 1998-1999. There was no drawdown in 2000-2001 or 2001-2002.
2. Rice Lake is the only lake with a relatively large tributary flowing through it (Elm Creek).
3. Weaver and Eagle Lake each have public access for boating and are more likely to have an influx of Eurasian Water Millfoil, although only Rice and Eagle have reported evidence of this nuisance plant.
4. Expectations on the average for Maple Grove lakes are: Secchi - 5-7 feet; Phosphorous - 10-200; Chlorophyll - 5-50.

• Stop using any fertilizer that contains Phosphorous. Our soil does not need any more to enhance grass growth.
• Keep a "buffer" of vegetation along your shoreline to reduce the flow of soil and other runoff into the water.
• Trim any brush/trees overhanging into the water.
• Don't dump into city sewer drains!
• Don't dump any waste into the lake!