GOT WEEDS?
You’re (Unfortunately) Not ALONE!
ELPA’s Water Quality Committee Update
In Minnesota’s recent winter season, decreased snowfall has provided favorable conditions for aquatic plant growth, resulting in a decline of water quality in areas of Eagle Lake compared to previous years. (See Kare 11’s Article: ‘Our Weird Winter Could Cause Trouble in Lakes This Year’.) ELPA is committed to addressing these challenges and pursuing advancements, while lakeshore homeowners may also need to address concerns near their properties.
On a positive note, ELPA has successfully secured substantial funding through the City of Maple Grove's Lake Improvement Program (LIP) grants. This year, ELPA has been granted three LIP grants amounting to nearly $16,000! The City of Maple Grove is covering 70% of the project costs, with ELPA contributing the remaining 30%, which is around $7,000. The funded projects include:
Expanded Surveys of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), including spring, summer, and SCUBA diving surveys.
The first survey, conducted on April 24th, 2024, identified 6 contaminated areas of the lake with curly leaf pondweed.
Treatment of AIS, focusing on Eurasian water milfoil and curly leaf pondweed.
The first treatment for curly leaf pondweed was applied on April 29th, 2024.
Enhanced street sweepings around Eagle and Pike Lakes, with the first sweep on April 19th, 2024 preventing nearly 4,000 lbs. of debris from entering the lakes!
Leaves and other biomass that go from the street into the storm drains end up in the lake.
Removing these items lessen the amount of phosphorus and pollutants that reduce our water quality in the summer.
For further updates, keep an eye here on our website. Also, please remember to show appreciation to our city officials for their support of lake quality initiatives!
