Recent and Past Activities
November 13, 2025 - Request submitted to City of Maple Grove to remove a well-constructed beaver dam which is retaining water from shallow water body between Fish and Rice Lakes. Click here for details.
October 24, 2025 - Lake level is down 5.64' from normal. Visit the drawdown webpage for more information.
September 22, 2025 - City of Maple Grove Public Works has opened up the bypass to begin the drawdown of Rice Lake/Elm Creek as of this morning.
September 4, 2025 - The City of Maple Grove announces plans for the Rice Lake Trail improvement project.
August 25, 2025 - DNR approves 2025-2026 drawdown permit for Rice Lake to begin September 15th. Make sure to prepare for this activity! (Click here for drawdown permit)
August 23, 2025 - We are awaiting a final decision from the MN DNR on the 2025-2026 drawdown permit. Stay tuned for further details.
August 22, 2025 - Blue green algae sighting on Rice Lake was reported to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. More details to come, but please use caution if humans or pets go into the water. (Click here for MPCA information)
August 20, 2025 - Winter Aeration diffusers extended out to 1000' from shoreline to help support fish life, especially during drawdown periods.
August 10, 2025 - Update sent via e-mail to RLAA members to be prepared to remove boats by 9/16, assuming the drawdown permit will be granted.
August 4, 2025 - Maple Grove City Council approves 2025-2026 drawdown request. Submitted to MN DNR for final approval and grant of a permit, after Public Review completed 8/16.
July 16, 2025
Maple Grove Lake Quality Commission approves the 2025-2026 drawdown request. Next step is for the MG City Council to approve at their regularly scheduled August 4th meeting.
July 13, 2025
A partially downed tree is blocking the outside corner of the turn on Elm Creek just below County Road 30. At this time, there should be no impact to navigation. (Click here for photo)
June 29, 2025
Water level is high and continues to run over the dam spillway at a high rate of speed. (Click here for video)
June 28, 2025
Thanks to those who have paid your 2025 RLAA dues! If you feel you did pay and are not on this list, please let us know at ricelakeassoc@comcast.net.
June 25, 2025 - RLAA submits 2025-2026 drawdown request to City of Maple Grove, who will submit request to MN DNR. 80% (80 out of 100) approvals received from shoreline residents. Visit the drawdown page for details.
June 12, 2025
Drawdown approvals are being sought from shoreline residents. Please check your e-mail to approve this request.
June 9, 2025
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Plant Survey conducted on May 29, 2025 revealed heavy growth of both Curlyleaf Pondweed and Eurasian Watermilfoil. Treatment with an off-season drawdown is being pursued with the City of Maple Grove and the MN DNR. Details will be coming out soon. Click here to view the specific report.
June 9, 2025
Annual Meeting content posted on the meetings page. Thank you to those 29 who attended and to all who have paid their annual dues so far!
April 29, 2025
April 21, 2025
Reminder: Please RSVP for the RLAA Annual Meeting no later than Sunday, May 4th per the recent e-mail communication to the membership.
April 5, 2025
Reminder that the RLAA Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 6th. Meeting details coming soon!
March 21, 2025
Thanks to Hente Braam for recovering all of the Thin Ice signs from the aeration area today! Shoreline Warning signs will be removed in the near future.
March 14, 2025
Winter aeration system shut down for the season as the open water area expands beyond the allowance under the DNR permit. If you see any floating Thin Ice signs, please send us an e-mail (ricelakeassoc@comcast.net) on their location so they can be recovered.
January 28, 2025
Aeration system motor repaired and system is back up and running again!
January 25, 2025
Aeration system is malfunctioning and has been shut down while repairs are being rendered.
January 2, 2025
Turned on aeration system with current and forecasted colder temperatures.
December 27, 2024
Aeration system temporarily turned off during current warm spell to reduce the opportunity for Thin Ice signs falling in. Will turn it back on when it gets colder.
December 22, 2024
December 14, 2024
Aeration system started up today with roughly 8-10" of ice in the area. Thin Ice signs were posted around perimeter.
November 24, 2024
Winter Aeration Warning signs posted around lake at common access points.
November 22, 2024
Click here for the final 2024 Fish Survey from our consultant, Blue Water Science.
November 12, 2024
For those looking for a potential weed harvesting solution for your own dock area, feel free to contact Premier Harvesting at sales@premierlakeharvesting.com.
November 11, 2024
October 17, 2024
October 12, 2024
Buoys removed for the season. Thanks to Curt & Hugh, Rick and Mike for assisting George with this task.
August 23, 2024
2nd Buckthorn Pull scheduled for Tuesday, September 10 from 5-7:00 pm on Glacier Lane. Check your e-mail to RSVP to assist.
August 5, 2024
There will not be a drawdown conducted this winter (2024-2025). Curlyleaf Pondweed growth has increased since last year. The RLAA Board does not consider it to be enough of a nuisance to warrant treatment this season. Click here for the 2024 AIS Plant report.
July 27, 2024
New high profile buoy replaces red ball buoy in NE corner of the lake. Also made a couple more buoy changes. Click here for details.
July 26, 2024
1st Buckthorn Pull on Glacier Lane conducted today on the east side of the street. Thanks to the 10 volunteers who helped out!
June 16, 2024
Updated boat ramp channel marker buoys installed with reflectors on posts as a more secure option. (Click here for a snapshot)
June 5, 2024
Thanks to those who paid their RLAA Association Dues to date. Visit the Membership page to make sure you paid.
May 28, 2024
Green channel marker buoy located and will be reconnected to its anchor soon.
May 25, 2024
Green channel marker buoy located in the boat ramp channel is missing as of today. If anyone knows its whereabouts, please contact us at ricelakeassoc@comcast.net.
May 12, 2024
Thanks to those of you who have paid their 2024 RLAA dues to date (59 members). If you have not paid your dues yet, please do so per the dues notice previously sent out via e-mail.
May 11, 2024
Navigational buoys set out on the lake today. The same crew also trimmed some trees along creek NE of the lake. Thanks to board members, Hente, Rick, Gary and George for doing this.
May 7, 2024
May 2, 2024
Navigational lake and creek buoys will be put out the weekend of May 11-12.
April 13, 2024
Boat ramp access gate enabled today. Rice Lake/Elm Creek shoreline owners who pay their 2024 RLAA dues will need a new access code to launch their watercraft.
April 5, 2024
Aeration warning signs removed for the season.
March 13 & 20, 2024
Maple Grove Fire Department plans to do conduct ice (cold water) rescue training exercises in the morning/evening for both March 13 and March 20. Exercises will be conducted by the winter aeration location (91st and Shenandoah Ln.).
March 11, 2024
Thin Ice signs collected in the open water and along shoreline.
March 4, 2024
Ice officially declared OUT today, making it the earliest documented ice out on Rice Lake! Previous earliest dates were 3/7/2017 and 3/8/1988. It was also the latest Ice In of 1/4/2024, making it the shortest ice seasons on record!
February 21, 2024
Aeration area roughly 200' x 800' is being kept open by waterfowl. Obviously, this area is unstable as the ice melt continues.
February 12, 2024
Winter Aeration system shut down for the season due to weakening ice and fallen Thin Ice signs.
February 1, 2024
Open water area continues to expand to roughly 125' x 250' with all Thin Ice signs still standing. Lots of waterfowl are enjoying the open water.
January 26, 2024
Hold the date! 2024 RLAA Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 7 starting 7:00 pm. Details will be sent out once finalized.
January 21, 2024
