The power of Volunteers!

The power of volunteer-collected data is on full display in these state-wide online maps! An army of volunteers across the state collects data so that that we can learn about the health of our state's waters. https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/7be28eb70b354e4d92e47fd14ab405df

Click on any lake displayed on the map to see the results of the most recently water clarity trend analysis. Trends use all historical data per stream site or across a full lake to determine if water clarity is increasing, decreasing or staying the same. Not all lake or stream sites have enough data to determine if a trend is present.

If you want to learn more about volunteering to monitor your lake, go to https://www.pca.state.mn.us/get-engaged/volunteer-water-monitoring

Youth Boat Training

Stearns COLA and the Stearns County Sheriff’s Water Patrol is pleased to announce youth boat training dates for this summer. Classes are for youths 12 to 18 years old. The classes include both classroom and on-boat training. Students will take the approved DNR boat permit test and upon successful completion they will receive their operators permit. Pizza and refreshments will be provided by the Stearns COLA.

The local class at Shady's is 7/29/26 at 7:00AM.

These classes are limited to 20 students on a first come-first serve basis. You must complete one for form for each student who will be attending. An email will be sent to the class participants with more details as the class date approaches. WE ARE AWAITING A NEW LINK FOR SIGN UP.

Questions? Contact Deputy Cole Thoma via email at cole.thoma@stearnscountymn.gov

What's in our water?

As shared by Amy Kay at the 2026 Annual Meeting, one of the first steps to developing a Lake Management Framework is understanding what is in our water. Of particular interest to the Chain are Culy Leaf Pondweed (CLP) and Hybrid Watermilfoil (HWM), both invasive. This helpful chart was handed out at the meeting, click here to download the PDF.

Beer & Blooms

Join the Sauk River Watershed District on July 9 for a tour of great gardens in the Cold Spring area! Featured will be anything from perennial gardens to shoreline restoration. Tour stops include both public and private property. Group meets at the school’s DEF Building parking lot, caravan from location to location, and end our tour at Third Street Brew house. There will then be a presentation on perennial planting. Participants will receive handouts, brochures, and a chance to win prizes!

Register through ROCORI Community Education HERE.
Appetizers are included, and a cash bar will be available!

Questions? Contact Kory @ kory@srwdmn.org.

ILIDS Upgrade

As mentioned by Steve Weeres at the 2026 Annual Meeting, the Association recently upgraded the ILIDS system at the Highway 22 boat landing to provide enhanced capability for inspecting boats as they enter and leave the area SRCLA owns and manages four I-LIDS (Internet Landing Installed Device Sensor). These units provide both visual and audio awareness of the need to prevent the spread of AIS. Head on over to to srcl.org under Lake Mgmt Programs to view the dedicated ILDS page and learn more about how these self-contained, solar powered systems installed at boat launches help prevent the spread of AIS through video capture and remote inspection of boats and trailers entering the water.

Curlyleaf Pondweed Harvest 6/12/26

The DNR issued aquatic plant management permits to harvest CLP in the areas shown in the map below. Harvesting was completed on June 12. The SRCLA is pursuing additional permits for other areas across the Chain as well. Stay tuned!

Annual Meeting Summary

Thank you to everyone that attended the SCRLA Annual Meeting yesterday!    We had a great turnout with over 90 people in attendance, in addition to our special guests:

• Jeff Bertram, Stearns County Commissioner, District 3

• Amy Kay, Principal Steward, AKA Collaborative

• Abi Borgerding & Kory Klebe, Sauk River Watershed District

• John Schmitz & Randy Schackmann, Richmond Fire Department (on behalf of Catfish Fest)

After thanking all of our volunteers that work so hard with charitable gambling, water sampling and roadside cleanup, SRCLA president Richard Gallea reviewed some of the highlights over the past year.  WOW!  A lot of great work has been done!  

Treasurer Jeremy Schnieder presented a financial overview. The full report is here.

Richard then introduced Amy Kay of AKA Collaborative, who led us through a great presentation of how AKA has been working with the AIS team to develop a Lake Management Framework, "Managing for Today, Planning for Tomorrow'.   Really great work has already been done, and there is much more to come!  Her presentation can be found here.  Thank you all for your thoughtful questions and your passion for maintaining the integrity of our Chain.

Richard then moved on to the formal board member election process, first thanking the outgoing members who are rolling off the board:  Candy Burns, Brenda Herubin and Steve Reid.  We thank them for their years of dedication and tireless work!  Richard then introduced three new candidates, Mike Hidding, Dylan McIntosh and Earl Von Ende.  Since there were six open spots and six candidates (three incumbents, three new), a motion was made to accept the six candidates, the motion was seconded, and all present voted 'AYE'.    

Once the election was complete, Richard opened the floor for additional questions.  There was a question about the feasibility study to replace the Cold Spring dam with rock arched rapids.  Indeed the study is going forward, funded by state monies. There was a discussion about stopping the phosphorus from getting into the Chain, with a great response from our partners at the Sauk River Watershed District about ongoing efforts within the watershed, as well as what individual shoreline owners can do to prevent phosphorus from draining into their own shoreline. 

After a motion to adjourn, the motion was seconded, and we closed the 2026 Annual Member meeting.  Seven people took the opportunity to buy a 2026 membership.  Have you ordered yours yet? https://www.srcl.org/become-a-member

Curlyleaf Pondweed Treatments 5/20/26

On May 20, 2026, aquatic invasive species management activities were conducted on the Sauk River Chain of Lakes targeting Curlyleaf Pondweed (CLP), an invasive aquatic plant known to impact native plant communities, recreation, and overall lake health.

Approximately 115 acres of permitted management areas were treated across Cedar Island, Zumwalde, Krays, and Knaus Lakes. Applications of Flumigard® SC (flumioxazin) were performed by Minnesota-licensed aquatic pesticide applicators from AquaTerra Solutions and PLM Lake & Land Management in accordance with Minnesota DNR permit requirements, product label directions, and all applicable state regulations.

Weather and water conditions on the treatment day were favorable for application, supporting effective product distribution within the targeted management areas. These treatments are part of the Sauk River Chain of Lakes Association's ongoing efforts to manage aquatic invasive species, protect recreational use, and support the long-term ecological health of the chain. For detailed maps of each lake treated click here.

Take a Kid Fishing Weekend

On Take a Kid Fishing Weekend Minnesotans can fish without licenses if they take children 15 or younger fishing.

Minnesotans 15 and younger don’t need fishing licenses any time of the year. Take a Kid Fishing Weekend is a way for adults and kids to fish together without the step of buying a license.

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/events/event.html?id=81392

For everyone’s sake, Own Your Wake!

As we officially enter the summer lake season, it’s crucial to be mindful of your wake. Every boat creates a wake, and being considerate of how it impacts other boaters and the shoreline is essential. Plus, minding your wake is key to keeping people safe while on the water. Here are some tips to help you navigate responsibly:

🚤 Be aware of your environment — look out for swimmers, other boaters, no-wake zones, etc. to prevent injuring other water-goers. For a map of the no-wake zones on the Chain, go to Our Lakes.

🚤 Per the DNR, stay at least 200 feet away from shoreline, docks, and other structures to prevent damages and shoreline erosion . On our Chain, this means being extra cautious in the channels and around corners.

🚤 Minimize repetitive passes — once you’ve run a line, move onto another area.

🚤 Respect the rights of others to enjoy their time on the water!

By taking these tips to heart, you can help keep Minnesota’s waters safe and fun for all! For more details, head to https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/.../boatwater/own-your-wake.html.

DNR Restocking

The DNR stocked the Lower Mississippi strain of walleye fry into two lakes. 137,500 were put into Horseshoe and 377,500 into Cedar Island. This is the first time stocking has been done on the Chain since 2016. For more details, read Steve Reid's article in the 2026 Spring Chain Link.

Great news for our lakes!

Trash carts have been installed at the three DNR-owned landings!

Thanks to a major advocacy effort behind the scenes, keeping our shorelines clean just got a lot easier. A massive shoutout and thank you to SRCLA board member Steve Weeres and Stearns County Commissioner Jeff Bertram for working hard together to secure these carts for our community boat launches.  Carts have been installed at Co. Rd. 71, MN-22 and Long Lake landings (the Hwy 23 landing is owned by Cold Spring and under their care).

Let's keep this momentum going and protect our waters:

• 🗑️ Use the carts: Empty your boat trash directly into the new bins before heading home.

• 🛑 Secure your loads: Ensure no loose garbage flies out of your vehicle or boat at the landing.

• 🌿 Clean, Drain, Dry: Keep doing your part to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species!

Next time you see Steve or Commissioner Bertram, please give them a big thank you for protecting our lakes!

DNR: Help Protect Minnesota Waters

🌊 Protect our lakes! 🚣‍♂️ Stopping Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) starts with us. Whether you’re a boater, paddler, or lake shore owner, here is how you can do your part to keep Minnesota's waters healthy:

Boaters & Paddlers

• Clean: Remove all visible plants, mud, and debris from your watercraft and trailer before leaving the access.

• Drain: Pull the plug! Drain all water from your boat, livewell, and bait buckets. Keep plugs out during transport.

• Dry: For best results, let your boat and gear dry for 5 days before heading to another water body.

Lake Shore Owners

• Dry Equipment: If you are moving docks, boat lifts, or rafts to a different lake, they must dry for 21 days.

• Professional Help: Consider hiring a permitted Lake Service Provider to safely decontaminate and move your equipment.

Everyone can help!

• Dispose of Bait: Never release unused bait into the water. Put it in the trash.

• Decontaminate: Use high-pressure, hot water (120°F–140°F) to kill unseen AIS.

• Report: See something suspicious? Take a photo, note the location, and report it to the DNR or via EDDMapS.

Let's keep our waters clear for everyone to enjoy! 💧 Go to Aquatic Plant Management and Aquatic Plant Management for Home Owners to learn more. To download the images below as a PDF, click here.

Trends in Minnesota’s Lakes and Rivers

🌊 Big news for Minnesota’s waters! 🚣‍♂️

The latest 2025 report from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) shows that our collective efforts to protect our lakes and rivers are paying off. Here’s the breakdown on how our waters are flowing forward:

• Life is Thriving: Fish and bug communities in our rivers and streams are showing statistically significant improvements! 🐟🐜

• Cleaner Water: Phosphorus levels in large rivers are mostly stable or declining, and nearly a third of monitored lakes show improving water clarity. ✨ 

• Success Stories: Since 2002, 95 lakes and river segments have been healthy enough to be removed from the impaired waters list! 🏆

• The Long Game: Real restoration takes time (often a decade or more), but programs like the Clean Water Fund are making a measurable difference through better land management and community action. 🌱 

• While challenges like "forever chemicals" (PFAS) and nitrates remain, the trend is clear: Minnesota’s water is getting healthier. 💧

Check out the full report to see how our watershed is doing, and visit the Water Quality page to see data on our own Chain of Lakes.

Take a Mom Fishing Weekend

Every year on Mother's Day weekend, all moms across Minnesota can fish for free without a license. For more information see the DNR website here:
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/events/event.html?id=81396

‘Quit mowing’: Turning Minnesota lake homeowners into shoreline stewards, one lawn at a time

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more of MPR’s Kirsti Mahron articles in her "Trouble by the Water" series, covering wake impacts, pros/cons of riprap, and shoreline steward programs. This next MPR article describes the journey that prompted Dorothy Whitmer of the Gull Lake chain to create the Lake Steward program, which has been adopted by dozens of lake associations across the state, including the SRCLA!

Click here to read the article.

To learn more about the SRCL Lake Steward Program, check out the information here, and the current Lake Stewards on the Chain here.

MPCA Volunteer Monitoring Reports and Data

🌊 Curious about the health of your favorite Minnesota lake or stream? 🛶

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has an incredible Volunteer Monitoring Reports and Data portal that puts decades of community-driven science right at your fingertips! Here are the key features you can explore:

• 📈 Transparency Trends: See how water clarity has changed over time with easy-to-read charts. This data helps identify if a lake's health is improving or declining.

• 📊 Annual Data Summaries: Get an in-depth look at the most recent monitoring season, including site-specific statistics and user perceptions of water quality.

• 🗺️ Interactive Maps: Use the map tool to find specific monitoring stations or see which lakes and streams still need a volunteer "eyes on the water".

• 🏆 Aquatic Recreation Assessments: Learn how well a water body supports activities like swimming and wading based on nutrient levels and sediment.

• ❄️ Lake Ice Reporting: Check "ice-in" and "ice-out" dates to track how shorter winters are impacting our local ecosystems.

Did you know? Over 1,000 volunteers across the state contribute this vital data, often providing the only information available for certain bodies of water.

Explore the data or sign up to become a monitor yourself! 🔗 MPCA Volunteer Monitoring

Check out the great work by our Water Quality Team - they could use an extra hand!

Reporter's Notebook: Covering the impact of rock riprap on Minnesota lakes

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more of MPR’s Kirsti Mahron articles in her "Trouble by the Water" series, covering wake impacts, pros/cons of riprap, and shoreline steward programs.

Rock riprap is probably one of the most misunderstood options for addressing shoreline erosion. This MPR article does a good job of explaining the pros and cons of rock riprap versus other options like native buffer zones. If you’re curious about this topic, please reach out to us…we’d love to talk to you about your shoreline!

2026 Youth Watercraft Operator Permit & Water Safety Class

Sponsored by Stearns County Coalition of Lake Associations (COLA)

Stearns COLA is pleased to announce the scheduling of youth Watercraft Safety Classes for 2026.  The COLA helps supervise the classes and provides refreshments including pizza for all participants.  There are only 20 slots for each class. 

Event: Sauk River Chain of Lakes Youth Watercraft Operator Permit & Water Safety Class
Date: Wednesday, June 29th, 2026
Time: Time: 7:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Shady's Long Shots - 17467 Fairway Circle, Cold Spring, Minnesota 56320

For details and requirements of this program and to register for this event click HERE. If you sign up and decide you cannot attend please cancel your reservation so others can attend. 

For more information: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater/boater-education-law.html

ANNUAL MEETING

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The Sauk River Chain of Lakes Association annual meeting is June 13, 9AM at Shady's Long Shots. Agenda is on the calendar. Of special note is we have several members rolling off the board and are looking for a few more people to fill these important positions. Interested? Complete the online form under About Us -> Contact or email Richard Gallea, current SRCLA President at rjgallea@gmail.com.