A sign to show the owners choose not to use chemical fertilizers or weed killers. (Al Zdon)
Three lakes in Columbia Heights are facing challenges, and neighborhood lake associations may be part of the solutions.
Silver Lake, Sullivan Lake and Highland Lake in Kordiak Park all have problems similar to other urban lakes in the Twin Cities. Invasive weed species, carp, algae bloom and lily pads are some of the issues at the lakes.
Silver Lake was the first to establish a lake association in an effort to stem the spread of milfoil, an invasive species, in the lake. The association has had some success.
“The first year we tried to remove 15 percent of the milfoil, but it came back with a vengeance,” said Doug Jones, a leader of the association. “The second year we tried 100 percent removal, and right now there is no milfoil in the lake.”
Now, the association is interested in re-establishing other native plant growth in the lake, fighting a carp infestation and being pro-active about what lake owners use on their lawns.
So: would lake associations benefit other urban lakes? A meeting was held May 28 to begin work on a Highland Lake neighborhood association, and Jones was one of the speakers. The meeting was organized by Quinn Palar, Anoka County’s natural resources manager. Fourteen people attended.
Highland Lake, once the centerpiece of Kordiak Park, has become overgrown with lily pads. An attempt to get help from the state Department of Natural Resources was turned down because the lily pads are a natural growth for Minnesota lakes.
Jones told the group that all 51 property owners on Silver Lake are enrolled in the association, with each paying $35 annually. The property owners also chipped in $200 apiece for milfoil removal, which was done by a private firm.
Jones said it was important to educate neighbors on what kind of fertilizers and weed controls to use on their lawns. He noted that the Rice Creek Watershed District has small grants available for shoreline planting.
Jones also touted the Lunseth Lawn Care company, which specializes in organic services that don’t use harmful chemicals.
Palar told the Highland Lake neighbors that a treatment plan needs to be in place before any work can be done. For instance: what percentage of the lily pads should be removed?
Palar said a survey of Kordiak Park neighbors last year had 150 respondents, but that a new survey that focused only on the lake would be helpful.
Jeff Perry, director of parks for Anoka County, said lake associations can be very beneficial. “Even if the associations are not overly organized, a group of local residents can work collectively toward common goals for the lake.
“For Highland Lake, it’s the lily pads,” Perry said in an interview. “But residents can monitor water quality and fish and wildlife habitat. The organization can be educational.”
Which is the direction the Silver Lake Association is heading.
“The synthetic fertilizers don’t just stay in the yard, they run off into the lake and cause an algae bloom,” said April Chu, a lakeshore resident who has become active in the Silver Lake association. “The chemicals used to make your lawn look good can affect the microbiology of the soil and the runoff can kill things along the way.”
Chu said America is gradually moving from one goal to another: from having a “perfect” lawn to having one with some biodiversity. “It was almost a shame thing to have a bad lawn or dandelions popping up in your yard.
“But as people learn more about the environment, they can be more purposeful about what they do with their lawns, including what might harm the lake or their pets or family.”
Chu said it would be ideal if cities, counties or states had rules about what you can do with your lawn to protect the environment, but in the meantime those decisions are made by each individual homeowner.
“There was an old way to look at it, but people like me can flip the switch and see that there’s nothing wrong with native clover or native whatever in your lawn. People want to do the right thing, like recycling and lake regenerative accountability — living with your land.”
Silver Lake has seen many changes over the past few years. The lake is now basically milfoil-free. The next step will be replacing the milfoil with native weeds, which are needed by the lake and its wildlife population.
Jones estimates that about half the lake owners do nothing to their lawns or have switched to organic care, while the other half, generally, rely on chemical means aimed at having a “perfect” lawn.
Chu said information was available at last year’s Summer Festival, and that lawn signs proclaiming that the homeowner has switched to organic lawn care products are also available.
Jones said the lake’s clarity has increased since the milfoil departed.
Chu said the algae blooms, caused by the synthetic fertilizers, can turn a lake green in a hurry. “It can also be toxic to humans. But I want to emphasize at this point we believe the lake is still safe to swim in. There are lakes in the Twin Cities that are not safe.”
At the VillageFest last year, homeowners in the neighborhood were asked to sign a pledge not to use synthetic fertilizers or other environmentally harmful chemicals.
Jones said it was important for neighbors in the area around the lake to keep their storm sewers, which drain right into the lake, clear. Grass, leaves and other natural debris will settle in the lake and decompose, unbalancing the lake’s ecology.
Chu says it’s been gratifying to see the lake association revive after the pandemic. “There’s been a revitalized conversation. One object has been making it easier for people to make better choices with their lawns.”
An upcoming project will be to remove the invasive carp from the lake. The association, county and city are working with the Rice Creek Watershed District on a plan. Carp removal could begin this fall or winter.