www.greenlakespicer.com
BOARD MEMBERS
President
Greg Holmstrom 320.796.2646
[email protected]
320.564.4903
Vice President
Bruce Schweitzer 320.796.6627
507-440-0905
[email protected]
Treasurer
Tom Johnson
320.796.2008
[email protected]
Secretary
Kathryn (Kit) Smith 320.249.0112
[email protected]
Executive Secretary
Terry Frazee
320.796.2502
[email protected]
863.439.0455
[email protected]
Wayne Dahlen
Bob Hodapp
Harvey Lange
Steve Linder
Steve Lykken
Sara Martinka
Eric Roberts
320.905.4965
[email protected]
August 2015
Let me introduce myself, my name is Gregory L. Holmstrom and I have
been given the honor, privilege and duty of serving as GLPOA President. I
have had the privilege of coming and enjoying Green Lake since 1968. My
wife has spent virtually her entire life coming to the lake as have our three sons
and now our grandchildren. Many may recognize the name Wally Fischer, my
departed father-in-law. He worked tirelessly to protect the lake in establishing
the initial Green Lake sewer system.
Unfortunately, with the recent discovery of zebra mussels, notwithstanding
your Board’s efforts to prevent them, many of you may be disheartened
and questioning all of our efforts to protect our beautiful Green Lake.
To the contrary, your board recognizes the ever increasing threat of
other invasive species. I assure you we will do all we can to continue to try to protect the
lake. We all must be even more dedicated to working together to do so whether by
cooperating with other area agencies and organizations,
lobbying the legislature for funding for research and protective
activities, or simply by promptly reporting
inappropriate activities affecting our lake. While
Green Lake is public water, we the property owners
have a vested interest in doing all we can to protect
it. Please share any ideas, thoughts or concerns you
have with myself; the other Board members and of course our tireless executive secretary
Terry Frazee. Together we can continue to enjoy and be proud of our beautiful Green Lake.
Thank you for your continuing support of your association and its activities.
320.796.2009
[email protected]
Sincerely,
Gregory L. Holmstrom
320.796.5319
[email protected]
President GLPOA
320.796.2243
[email protected]
320.894.4393
[email protected]
612.236.7472
[email protected]
320.796.6767
[email protected]
2015-2016 GLPOA Board of Directors Meeting Dates
Saturday, 15 August
Saturday, 19 September
Saturday, 30 April
Saturday, 21 May
Saturday, 11 June
Saturday, 16 July
Saturday, 20 August
Saturday, 17 September
Heritage Bank Room
Heritage Bank Room
Heritage Bank Room
Heritage Bank Room
Green Lake Bible Camp
Heritage Bank Room
Heritage Bank Room
Heritage Bank Room
Coffee Shop
Coffee Shop
Coffee Shop
Annual Meeting
Coffee Shop
Coffee Shop
8:00 am
8:00 am
8:00 am
8:00 am
8:15 am
8:00 am
8:00 am
8:00 am
History of the Green Lake Outlet
Happy July to everyone! Recently when I have been asked to contribute to the Green Lake Breeze, it is to
highlight either extremely high (2011) or extremely low (2013) water levels in the watershed. This go-round,
however, the area is drought-free for the first time since fall 2011 and Green Lake water levels are very near the
historical mean for this time of year, so that means I will have to find something else to discuss!
Earlier this year, Terry had asked to include a brief history of the outlet conditions of Green Lake and
Lake Calhoun, so I will do my best to give you the information we have on the changes to the water
level controls on this system over the past 120 years.
As many of you know, the first man-made water level control
structures in the area (semi-modern, at least) were installed
in/around 1867 in New London at the outlet of Lake Monongalia and at the outlet of Nest Lake into
Green Lake. The installation of these structures increased the size of these basins significantly (734
acres to 1019 acres for Nest Lake and 327 acres to 2255 acres for Monongalia) and began to set the
stage for changes further downstream in the Middle Fork Crow River (MFCR) watershed, including
Green Lake.
Prior to the early 1900’s, records of the specifics of the Green Lake outlet are difficult to find. The only information that I was able to
locate indicated that the outlet elevation of the lake was maintained by a natural ice ridge prior to the MFCR flowing through a
large marshy area including what is now the Dietrich Lange Wildlife Management Area and Refuge. The first significant records
of outlet alteration are associated with the establishment and improvement of Kandiyohi County Ditch #20 in 1906. This ditch runs
from the outlet of Green Lake downstream to the Kandiyohi/Meeker County Line and effectively channelized the Middle Fork Crow
River. As a portion of the establishment of this ditch, the outlet to Green Lake was widened and deepened, lowering lake water levels
over time. Significant concern for the changing water levels was expressed by Spicer residents and lakeshore owners, so records
indicate that spillway was constructed by the Kandiyohi County Board in/around 1908. Over time, concerns from several agencies,
including the Issak Walton League and the newly formed MN Department of Conservation, regarding restoration of the marshy area
downstream of Green Lake and lake water levels grew until 1937, when three variable-crest water level control structures were installed in the
lake chain: one at the outlet of Green Lake, one at the natural outlet of Lake Calhoun (where the present outlet structure is located) and one at the
outlet of the CD #20 from the marshy area between the lakes (current ditch bypass). These structures restored the marshy area to current size and
are the framework of the water level regime we still see today.
As all of these structures were constructed with stop logs that could be added or removed, it was intended
that some manipulation of the basins would take place, however; over time, this proved not to be the case.
The stoplogs were all removed from the structure at the outlet of Green Lake in 1940, as the structure
prevented the migration of fish with the stoplogs installed. This also made the structure located at the outlet
of Calhoun the primary control for water levels on Green. Between 1940 and 1946, there was significant
tampering with the outlet structures including placement/removal of the stoplogs that at times flooded
lands downstream of the lake, and resulted in higher water levels in other areas that adversely affected
several landowners. As such, the elevation of the structures was fixed 1155.29 MSL (still maintained as
the water level control elevation at the Lake Calhoun outlet} by a District Court Decision in 1949 and
reaffirmed by a MN Supreme Court decision in 1953. The only manipulation to take place was to remove
one 6-inch stoplog at the Calhoun outlet to facilitate water movement through Lake Calhoun to prevent fish winterkill. The remaining wood
stoplogs were replaced with concrete logs and fixed at the above elevation to prevent tampering and ease any flooding downstream.
While certainly not perfect, the manipulation of the water level control structure over winter at the Calhoun outlet
continued until approximately 1972, when records indicate that significant tampering with the structure again took place,
potentially related to significant high and/or low water conditions. In 1978, the DNR reconstructed the outlet structure with
a fixed crest (no stoplogs) at the 1953 court-ordered outlet elevation and included a valve type gate which can be operated
to move water through the basin to prevent fish winterkill. Essentially, this is the system that is maintained still today.
While there are many more details in this history (including a failed Great Depression era project that
would have changed Green Lake to flow into Willmar and the South Fork Crow River), I hit on the
major events for this article.
If you would like to know more, please feel free to contact me at 320-796-2161.
Have a great rest of the summer!
Ethan Jenzen, Area Hydrologist
Kandiyohi County Lake Base Rates
Green Lake is located in four separate taxing districts and two school districts. Each township/city has its own budget resulting in
varied taxes in each district. The approach to valuation is the same in each district and the values placed on each parcel are arrived
at using the same approach, rules and regulations. Lakeshore values are based on a per-front-foot valuation. Area Lakes have a base
rate that is adjusted annually, as needed, based on sales that occurred during the current assessment years’ sales study. The sales study
period occurs between October 1 and September 30 annually. During this study period we determined the 2015 valuation on Green Lake.
There were 19 “good” sales monitored by the State of Minnesota with a median ratio of 98.09%. When the median is within the state mandated window of 90-105%,
no change in the front-foot value was justified for the 2015 value. Because markets are constantly changing, assessed values are a reaction to the market and may not
always reflect the current trend. The following is a list of the base rates on some Kandiyohi County Lakes for the 2014 and 2015 assessment.
Green Lake
Lake Florida
George Lake
Lake Andrew
Eagle Lake
Diamond Lake
Henderson Lake
Games Lake
Norway Lake
2014
5,000
2,450
2,300
2,100
1,750
1,700
1,600
1,800
1,500
KANDIYOHI COUNTY LAKE BASE RATES
2015
5,000
Nest Lake
2,450
Big Kandiyohi Lake
2,300
North Long Lake
2,100
Calhoun Lake
1,800
Elkhorn Lake
1,700
Lake Carrie
1,600
Lake Elizabeth
1,800
Swenson Lake
1,500
Crow River Frontage
2014
1,300
1,200
900
900
800
600
600
600
400
2015
1,300
1,150
900
900
800
600
600
600
400
In March of 2016, the Assessor’s office will be mailing valuation notices reflecting value changes for the 2016 assessment. These
notices will be in the same envelope as the current year tax statement. Every taxpayer has the opportunity to appeal their valuation
and classification at the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization meetings that are held each year. The meeting times are listed on
the valuation notice. We encourage you to call and speak to your district’s assessor about any concerns before the meeting. Our
responsibility is to conduct a fair and equitable assessment of properties and we welcome your questions and assistance. Our office
can be reached at (320) 231-6200 Monday through Friday. We are located at 400 Benson Avenue SW in Willmar.
Kandiyohi County Assessor’s Office
County Public Works Update
NEW PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/COUNTY ENGINEER
I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Public Works Director/County Engineer within the Kandiyohi County Public
Works Department.
Hired in September, 2014, I am replacing Gary Danielson who retired in November, 2014. Gary had worked for the department for over 32
years. I am a native of South Dakota and a graduate of South Dakota State University returning to the area after working for MnDOT for 4
years as the State Aid Engineer/Assistant District Engineer. Previous employment also included 14 years as the Public Works
Director/City Engineer for the City of Willmar as well working as an engineer for the South Dakota Dept. of Transportation. I look
forward to the opportunity to serve the county in this capacity. You can reach me at the address and phone number as listed below:
Mel Odens • Public Works Director/Co. Engineer
1801 East Highway 12 • Willmar, MN 56201 • [email protected] • Office: 320-235-3266 ext. 4105
NEW RECYCLING DROP-OFF SITE!
In June, Kandiyohi County added another recycling drop-off site for added convenience for county residents and visitors. This building is
located along County Road 30 (North Shore Drive) near the northeast corner of County Park #5 on Green Lake. This site is open 24
hours/seven days a week and is free of charge. Go to Kandiyohi County’s website at www.co.kandiyohi.mn.us/departments/recycling/
index.php for more information on recycling in Kandiyohi County and to view a map of the other drop-off site locations.
WATER LEAK ON NORTH SHORE DRIVE
As some of you may know we experienced a water leak in June along North Shore Drive. Before we could find the leak we lost well over a million
gallons of water. The leak is fixed, the road repaired and the final lift of asphalt will be placed yet in the next month. We are asking you to help
watch for future water leaks by reporting areas that seem to be abnormally wet. Please report these situations to the Green Lake Sanitary Sewer
and Water District (GLSSWD) at 320-796-4523.
Mel Odens
Public Works Director/Co. Engineer
GLPOA Beginning History
During the early years of the 1960s a group of men from the east side of Green Lake discussed
the possibility of starting some type of organization which would assist in the control and
development of Green Lake.
These gentlemen continued to meet formulating Articles of Incorporation for a proposed
association.
After much discussion the final document was approved and signed on the 10th day of December 1964.
The first Board of Directors were E.N. Fariless - Spicer, Lloyd F. Johnson - Willmar, Nels Miller Spicer, M.O. Hanson - Spicer, John Spicer - Spicer, Erroll Wanamaker - Spicer and Jay Putnam Spicer.
The official name of the organization, according to Article I, will be
the Green Lake Property Owners Association, and its registered
office will be Spicer, Minnesota.
Article III states that “Members of the association shall consist of property owners on Green Lake and all
persons interested in the improvements of Green Lake. This article has not changed since 1964!
Special interest is found in Article IV which states, “Membership dues shall be Two Dollars ($2.00) per year.
Article III stated, “The Board of Directors shall be elected by the membership at the annual meeting and shall consist
of no less than seven nor more than eleven.”
Article X states, “Ten or more members shall constitute a quorum at the annual or at a special meeting of
the membership. A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at any Board of Directors
meetings.”
Of special interest within Article XV it states, “In the event of the dissolution of this association, all of its
obligations shall first be paid; the remaining assets shall be given to the County of Kandiyohi to be used for
park and recreational purposes.
These Articles of Incorporation of the Green Lake Property Owners Association were signed, by each of
the above listed Board Members on 10 December 1964.
These Articles of Incorporation were sent to the State of Minnesota Department of State were recorded in
the office of the Secretary of State, on the 23rd day of February 1965 for the incorporation of Green Lake
Property Owners under and in accordance with the provisions of the Minnesota Non-profit Corporation Art,
Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 317.
The legal act was signed on the 23rd day of February 1965 by Joseph L. Donovan, Secretary of State
of the State of Minnesota certify that the Green Lake Property Owners Association is a legally
organized Corporation under the laws of Minnesota.
Terry Frazee
Zebra Mussels
A little over one year ago, a Green Lake resident reported the first zebra mussel in the lake. Follow up
searches conducted immediately after this find turned up no additional mussels. Fast forward a couple
months to the fall of 2014, and zebra mussels were showing up on numerous docks and boat lifts as they were removed from the water;
every corner of the lake was infested. This year, reports keep coming in about mussels in the lake-they seem to be everywhere.
This occurrence is common for a new infestation. The population establishes, there is a bit of lag time, and
then the population expands rapidly. Of course, the discovery was just made last year, so where was the lag
phase? In a random search earlier this summer, large zebra mussels were located, suggesting that last year
might not have been the initial introduction- that might have been even earlier. Still, the fact remains that
the lake is now infested and unfortunately, everyone who uses the lake, including the residents of Green
Lake, must now learn to cope with the infestation.
What should you expect going forward? Well, maybe you’ll step on a few sharp mussels in the shallows along
your beach. Maybe you’ll notice them on docks, lifts, and rafts when you remove them from the water this fall.
Maybe you’ll even see one on your boat or pontoon if it’s been in the water for some time. What do we, the DNR
expect to see? Well, we’re not exactly sure. Every lake seems to behave differently with zebra mussels. We’re very concerned with changes
in food web dynamics throughout the lake and we want to watch for that sort of impact. This summer, the DNR will
begin monitoring for adult and juvenile mussels at points around the lake. Annual snorkel searches along 30 meter
transects will allow us to track the population over time. In addition, lake association members who have agreed to attach
zebra mussel sampling plates to their docks will aide in the population monitoring. DNR Fisheries even plans to
monitor the plankton in the lake. Zebra mussels eat plankton, which is at the base of the food web and which
could lead to changes in other trophic levels, namely the popular game fish of Green Lake. Fisheries
management may change in the future if food web changes are noted.
Right now, control of zebra mussels is limited to newly infested lakes without widespread distribution of zebra mussels.
But the DNR, along with the Green Lake Property Owners Association, the Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District,
the City of Spicer and Kandiyohi Co. are working together to do everything we can to insure that zebra mussels do not
spread to the other wonderful lakes of Kandiyohi Co. and greater Minnesota.
For now, you the residents of Green Lake should go about your normal summer, enjoying everything you’ve always
enjoyed about Green Lake. In the future, research may lead to expanded management options for zebra mussels. If that happens, we hope
that everybody will once again band together to fight this invasive species.
Nicholas Brown, DNR AIS Director
Green Lake Water Quality Update
By: Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District
MONITORING
In 2014, the Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District continued a partnership with Green Lake Property
Owners Association and volunteers to monitor water quality of the lake. Thanks to the help of Dr. Robert Hodapp, 2014
was another successful year of monitoring.
Figure 1 shows average annual total phosphorus readings of Green Lake over the past ten years. From
2009 to 2014, Green Lake observed a surmountable decrease in total phosphorus levels falling from 19.6 to 13
micrograms per liter (ug/L1). Despite a slight increase in total phosphorus levels from 2013 (12.2 ug/L)-to 2014
(13.0 ug/L), the general trend over the ten year period shows phosphorus levels are decreasing. The lake continued to meet the
non-degradation standard as the 2014 phosphorus levels fell below 18 ug/L. This is an important standard to maintain as phosphorus
encourages algae growth, and consequently affects the ecological, recreational, and aesthetic benefits Green Lake provides.
In 2002, a non-degradation water quality goal was established for Green Lake. To meet this goal, average annual total phosphorus readings
must remain at or below 18 ug/L. Green Lake exceeded the threshold of the non-degradation goal in 2009, but has improved in the past
five years. These efforts will require continued involvement from all local entities, as well as increased efforts by property owners in
reducing the amount of phosphorus from entering the lake. One easy way to do this is by keeping grass clippings, leaves, and debris out of
the street. Grass clippings mowed into the street are washed into storm sewer pipes which lead into the lake. One bushel of grass clippings
mowed into the street contains enough phosphorus to grow 30 to 50 pounds of algae.
Green Lake water clarity is a valued asset.
During the open water seasons we are
monitoring lake Clarity with the use of a secchi
disk - a circular disk attached to a rope that is
marked for measuring water depth. The disk is
lowered into the water on the shaded side of a
boat. At the point in which the disk is no longer
visible, the depth is recorded. Deeper depths
recorded with the secchi disk indicate clearer
water. A graph of average annual secchi disk
readings over the past ten years is shown in
Figure 2. Note that zero feet on the y-axis
represents the lake’s surface, and higher values
indicate increased water clarity. Secchi disk depths over the last ten years have indicated improvement. Water clarity for Green Lake
decreased from an average of 14.4 feet in 2013 to 11.8 feet in 2014.
Results continue to indicate the need for the
implementation of best management practices
(BMPs) to reduce sediment and nutrient
loading into the lake. The successful
implementation of BMPs is very important in
meeting the aforementioned defined water
quality goal of non-degradation.
**A full copy of our 2014 Monitoring Report is
available under the Reports section on our
website (www.mfcrow.org)
Nature Notes
Minnesota skies were blessed some time ago with the Northern Lights. I did not see them, but did
anyone around here bear witness to that phenomenon? I’d like to know if they were visible beyond
the trees and lights.
We could not avoid the aftereffects of the forest fires in Washington and Saskatchewan, however. For
at least three days the sun looked like bronze, a similar aura hung over cars and the rest of the landscape,
one could barely see the trees on the opposite shore and the sunsets were spectacular. One of the ironies of
nature is that natural catastrophes-volcano eruptions, earthquakes, lightning-induced (or not) fires-often lead to fantastic
sunsets, rich in turquoise, salmon, lavender and red. Beauty out of chaos still exists.
When the air became redolent with sweetness, a glance upwards revealed that the basswood/linden trees were in full
bloom. I wish that scent could be captured for winter. The honey that bees make from the flowers is delicious. I
thought I did not like honey for many years until I tasted some made from basswood and wild flowers, orange
blossoms or cactus in the South and pine tree honey made in Greece. As fragrant as fresh clover is, its honey did
not capture that essence and that’s all we had for a long time. Fortunately, for most apiaries (apiarists), most folks
like the latter.
The goldfinches, orioles, their softer colored relatives that I haven’t identified yet, the hummingbirds,
house finches and other songbirds frequent and empty the bird feeders, both nectar and oily sunflower bits and
pieces. The bird bath is clean and available for them, too. We did see something rather unusual-a very small
bird and a larger one about the size of a robin were feeding in the grass and the little one was feeding the big
one that followed it wherever the little one went. Was it a case of a mother bird usurping the little ones nest and
letting that one raise her offspring? Any suggestions, let me know.
In the Star Tribune of July 15, 2015, I learned the term for a situation I’d commented on other years-Canada geese
gosling-sitting for each other. The combined group is called a creche and can continue for a few days or weeks. The
adults have lost their flight feathers-nature’s way of making sure they stay and care for their families, but they’ve
learned how to take turns and spell each other.
Mid-month I saw my first monarch butterflies and saw three more today. The milkweed is blooming and I admire the lake
owner not too far away who has let a plot of land across the road grow with long grass and more and more milkweed
plants every year.
The loons continue to fascinate me. The solitary loon and the
pair come by every once in a while and we listen to their eerie cries.
My son, in swimming one day, snorkeled very quietly to within 10 feet of the
solitary one, surfaced and they carried on a conversation in loon language,
comfortable with one another.
May the Green Lake breezes gentle our souls. Enjoy the blessings of Nature
during August.
Gloria Benson
The Green Lake Breeze
Green Lake Property Owners Association
P.O. Box 362
Spicer, Minnesota 56288
www.greenlakespicer.com
Return Service Requested
“Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Fund Continue to Help Green Lake”
During this summer, Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) funding from the State of Minnesota has helped stop the
spread of invasive species onto Green Lake by providing seven day per week watercraft inspections at Saulsbury
Beach and County Park 5. For upcoming weekends, Kandiyohi County has been recruiting inspectors for
Saulsbury Beach to help extend the hours of inspections and decontaminations past the current closing time
of 4:30PM. These extended hours will be subject to change, dependent upon inspector availability.
AIS funding has also assisted in providing additional part-time water patrol Sheriff Deputies on Green Lake and
throughout Kandiyohi County. These deputies have been
instrumental in enforcing AIS compliance, as well as assisting with boater safety
concerns at Saulsbury Beach, County Park 5 and Lone Tree.
In total, over 190 hours per week are being dedicated to the various accesses
around Green Lake to help stop the spread of AIS. As a whole on Green Lake
and throughout the county, the inspectors and Sheriff deputies have witnessed
very good compliance by boaters with AIS prevention methods such as pulling
plugs, draining water and removing weeds.
Kandiyohi County appreciates the support of all Green Lake property owners, as
we address the issue of AIS into the future.
David Paulson
Director, Kandiyohi Co. Tax Force