Water Safety Updates

As we head into the last major weekend of the summer, we wanted to share some good news about water safety.

The SRCLA partners with Minnesota Lakes & Rivers (MLR), who has lobbied the state legislature for many years to create a boaters education and certification program. Minnesota was one of only eight states that did not have a boater license requirement.

In 2025, the Legislature passed a new Boater Education and Certification requirement. The law went into effect on July 1, 2026.

 There were multiple reasons MLR pushed for a boater license:

• Public Safety:  For years boating deaths in Minnesota ranged between 10 and 20 annually.

• Over-Powered Boats:  Manufacturers are increasing the horsepower of boats, making them much faster. Boats that can travel 70 mph are not uncommon today. 

• User conflicts:  Some activities, like wake surfing, negatively affect other activities, like angling, kayaking or paddle boarding.

• Ecological impacts:  Shoreline erosion, destruction of waterfowl nests (loons), destruction of native aquatic plants and reanimation of sediments was increasing.

• Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention:  The spread of AIS is preventable with best practices, yet AIS propagation rates remain high.

The Minnesota DNR recently released their 2026 Yearly Watercraft Accident Records and Statistics.

 Minnesota's waters are the safest that they have ever been, reporting four boating fatalities. This continues a trend from 2025, when boater safety training went online, where there were seven boating fatalities. 

 For comparison, in 1961, the first year that MN tracked boating fatalities, there were 57.

Even if you’re not required by law to take the course, consider taking a few hours to complete the online course.  There are two options, Boat-Ed Minnesota or BoaterExam Minnesota. These official courses take about 3 to 4 hours to complete, allow you to learn at your own pace from any device, and cost a one-time fee (around $34.95) upon passing the final exam.

Stay connected!

The Stearns County new community notification system is to keep you updated on critical safety alerts, road closures, and department news.This system is also your direct line for boating and water safety updates. By signing up, you will receive immediate no-wake alerts during high-water events so you can navigate our waterways safely. Fortunately, high water has not been an issue so far in 2026, but being prepared ensures we stay safe whenever conditions change. Detailed news release here.

Wake Safe and Research into Impact of Powerboats

We have previously shared the results of a study by the St. Anthony Falls Lab at the U of M that documented the damage rapid acceleration and large wakes cause to shorelines and lake beds. One outcome of this research is a recommendation that wake boats limit their operation to depths greater than 20 feet and at least 500 feet from shore (nearly two football fields in length, if that's easier to visualize).

Our partners at Minnesota Lakes and Rivers (MLR) are offering to make maps for lake associations that depict the areas of a given lake that meet those two criteria. In the hopes of creating a map for the Chain lakes, we analyzed lake depths and concluded that there are effectively no areas on the Chain that meet the criteria.

While we support all on-the-water activities that the Chain enables, if you choose to create big wakes for surfing or skiing, please bear in mind the recommended minimum depths and distances to minimize the disruption of settled nutrients on the lake beds and damage to our shorelines.

* Wake surfing at least 500 feet from shore to reduce the wave energy impact on shorelines to the same level as a non-wake surf watercraft. Phase I Research: https://cse.umn.edu/safl/news/umn-researchers-study-waves-created-recreational-boats

* Operating in water depths of at least 20 feet to minimize subsurface ecological impact. Phase II Research: https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/healthywatersinitiative/phase-ii-research)

Minimize Fire Risk

We’re not currently experiencing wildfires here, but we certainly are experiencing the smoke! 💨 This article includes helpful hints to help minimize the risk of losing your lake property to fire.
With active fires nearby, protecting our wooded cabins and homes is critical. Here are quick, actionable steps from Minnesota Lakes & Rivers Advocates to safeguard your property: https://mnlakesandrivers.org/firewise/
🌳 Land Defense
Whack & Stack: Thin out smaller balsam fir and spruce to prevent ground fires from climbing into the treetops.
Create Space: Keep a 10-foot gap between evergreen tree crowns, and clear vegetation 30 feet out from structures.
🏡 Structure Defense
Clear Tinder: Rake leaves/dead grass 30 feet away, and remove firewood stored under your deck.
Block Embers: Make sure all roof vents are screened.
Roof Sprinklers: Consider a gas-powered lake pump system to protect your roof if you have to evacuate.

Check out the full article for more steps on fire safety! 🌲👇
#Firewise #LakeLife #MinnesotaLakes #WildfireSafety #CabinLife

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 2026 class at Shady's is FULL.

You can complete a certification witn the DNR’s online course: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater/education.html.

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.

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