Thursday, October 28, 2010

WATERWORKS Nov 3 Aitkin Independent Age

Local Wednesday Weekly by Gordon Prickett

MY WINDSOCK BLEW DOWN AGAIN

Our canoe that had been tied securely to the dock was swamped in last week’s windstorm. None of the weather guessers predicted that Minnesota would record it’s lowest ever reading for atmospheric pressure. At 10 AM, Tuesday, October 26th, the barometric low pressure record was first broken in Aitkin. By 5 o’clock in the afternoon the lowest pressure reading occurred in Bigfork with 28.21 inches of mercury (Standard pressure is 29.92 inches).

I found my windsock on the ground not far away two days later. Last Wednesday we took in the dock and portaged the canoe up to a secure winter site on the lake bank. Our mail carrier told stories of power outages and damage from trees blown down on her route during the windstorm. High winds, a lot of rain, and some wet snow - with all that energy it could have been worse.

LAKE-FRIENDLY SHORES

With the end of the boating season it’s a good time to take a look at the water’s edge and ask how well your shoreline is handling storm water. Does it run off rapidly in gullies into the lake? Or have you left a shore zone not mowed, not clear cut, and not fertilized?

Each cabin owner needs no more than a ten-foot wide cleared path to get down to the lake shore with kayaks, fishing gear, and water toys. I have attended a number of workshops where the topic has been how to build these “Buffer Zones” and “Rain Gardens” to slow down, capture, and treat storm water - before it can flush pollutants into the lake and river.

TIPS FROM HUBBARD COUNTY

At one of these workshops I received a valuable summary page from Steve Hall of Shoreline Creations, a “Lakescaping” company in Nevis, MN. It answers questions and concisely tells why a buffer zone makes sense to improve and maintain good lake water quality. A few of Steve’s pointers:

No-Mow and Buffer Zones stabilize shoreline and reduce erosion. They increase fish and wildlife habitat. They also filter nutrients and pollutants and trap sediments. Plus they control insects naturally and reduce lawn maintenance.

Q. Isn’t a buffer zone just a lot of tall grass that looks messy and unkempt?

A. No! Creating a buffer zone with a combination of native perennial wildflowers, grasses, and a few shrubs will make your shoreline beautiful all year long. Add a reasonable maintenance program and your shoreline will be the envy of your lake!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

WATERWORKS October 6th 2010

Aitkin Age wednesday weekly

CLEAN WATER AND SAFE BOATING

When the representatives of the Aitkin County Lakes And Rivers Association (ACLARA) gathered on October 1st for our Fall Banquet, this was my toast at the beginning of our dinner to those present, “Here’s to Clean Water and to Safe Boating!” This Coalition, that now consists of 19 Lake Associations, was called together for three training sessions in the summer of 2004, and it formally organized in April 2005. Each year since then we have grown and provided a place where lake associations can share news and ideas, training and programs for their members.

ACLARA is currently streamlining its by-laws, and as part of the drafting team, I was very satisfied with the updated language in the Statement of Purpose.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE (proposed)

The Aitkin County Lakes And Rivers Association, referred to as “ACLARA,” serves in Aitkin County to:

A. Protect, preserve, and improve the waters and shoreland of Aitkin County, enhancing aesthetic, economic, and recreational values.

B. Serve as a voice of the membership to governmental bodies and their agencies.

C. Inform and persuade citizens of the County in becoming more effective stewards
of our water resources.

D. Connect and communicate with individual lake and river associations and with coalitions in Minnesota.

E. Support safety and courtesy in the use of county waters and the use of shoreland, and support compliance with all applicable rules and regulations.


That’s what ACLARA is about.

After the meal last Friday we had a program of telling favorite fish stories. Getting out on the water and onto the ice is just a lot of fun. As docks are taken in and we pull our boats onto the shore, Fall colors have never been brighter and water clarity is reaching its peak.

Yes, indeed, clean water and safe boating for all!


(Gordon Prickett is President of the Aitkin County Lakes And Rivers Association)