Links to Lake Reports
Starry Stonewort Reports
• In one Minnesota lake, researchers remove invasive 'lake killer' by hand - Article on MPR Link
• Grand Lake Residents Fight Back Against Starry Stonewort - WJON Report Link
• Local-State Collaboration Results in Starry Stonewort Success - Click to download
• In one Minnesota lake, researchers remove invasive 'lake killer' by hand - Article on MPR Link
• Grand Lake Residents Fight Back Against Starry Stonewort - WJON Report Link
• Local-State Collaboration Results in Starry Stonewort Success - Click to download
2015-2016 Grand Lake Improvement District Year End Report
Grand Lake is currently infested with Curly Leaf Pond Weed and Chinese Snails. Grand Lake is also subject to the introduction of all types of AIS from boaters visiting the lake from infested waters. The DNR Fisheries Estimate of Boat Traffic rates Grand Lake into the highest Traffic grouping in Stearns County.
Grand Lake Improvement District implemented three elements to help prevent the introduction and spread of AIS into, and out of Grand Lake.
Pilot ILID Program:
Grand Lake Improvement District contracted with Environmental Sentry Protection LLC to install and complete ILID system that included video and audio monitoring of the DNR access. The total cost of the system and services was $9185.00 with funding from the Stearns County AIS Committee of $4273.75 (see attached invoice).
The objectives for utilizing the installation of the ILID include the monitoring of activity at the access to include traffic count, day of week, and hour of day usage, and the education of the public through both the visual and audio messages presented by the ILID. We firmly believe in the Hawthorne effect that defines “a type of reactivity in which individuals modify or improve an aspect of their behavior in response to their awareness of being observed.”
There are both quantitative and subjective results to report based on Environmental Sentry Protection LLC monthly monitoring the video recording along with Grand Lake Improvement district monitoring of 6 weeks of activity.
Quantitative Results show that the ILID counted 12,123 positive trips which would account for approximately 2020 boat launches if you divide the positive trips by 6 that would take into account the original launch, the movement of the trailer to the parking lot, and the walking of the driver back to the launch boat and vice-versa (see report attached). The implementation of a magnetic sensor will reduce false positives in 2017. It also shows that weekends, Friday’s, and Monday’s are the busiest days with Monday’s skewed by 3 Monday holidays during the summer season. Based on these results, we are requesting expanded hours on weekends, and 8 hours of inspection on Friday’s for 2017.
Subjective results show evidence that there is a great awareness of the presence to the ILID. There have been attempts to cover the camera to prevent detection. Many launch users look at the camera and acknowledge its presence and are seen reading the ILID signage and listening to the audio. Many users are seen double-checking their boats and trailers in front of the ILID prior to launching. We feel that the presence of the ILID has had a great educational benefit for both visitors and lake homeowners alike. The board felt that the LID could not afford to have boat inspections 7 days a week, 10 to 12 hours a day, but feel the ILID gives us both a Hawthorne effect that makes users of our lake more vigilant in following the rules, and provides education and audio reminders to be aware of AIS issues.
We have not noticed any reportable video’s that have contaminated boats or trailers entering Grand Lake. The board review of the 6 weeks of video’s tends to show many of the visitors are repeat visitors, and many on a regular basis. We might assume that at least this group of visitors is aware of the ILID and pays extra care in cleaning their boats of visible issues. We have also noticed that when weeds are detected on the video’s, it take place when the trailer is extracted from the lake with our without the boat. Based on this information, Grand Lake Improvement District will work with the DNR to try to keep the access area free of weeds, especially Curley Leaf Pond Weed.
Although we have not reported to the DNR or County authorities any suspected violations of the transport of AIS based on ILID videos, it would be beneficial if the AIS Committee and the Stearns County COLA begin the discussion of more active enforcement of AIS violations in Stearns County. If the public is aware that AIS violations are being issued no matter the circumstances, it will only make the ILID more effective.
Boat Inspection on Weekends and Holidays:
Grand Lake Improvement District having no knowledge of the activity of the DNR access site requested 8 hours of inspection on weekends and holiday’s. We were granted 248 hours of inspection by Lamb Services for a cost of $4216.00. Inspections were scheduled between 7AM and 3PM with Grand Lake Improvement District providing signage and a tent structure for protection of the inspector. Routine visits by board members with the inspectors were conducted to provide input and assistance when needed. The Board and homeowners were very happy with the services provided and reported no problems with the inspectors, or lake visitors.
Quantitative data provide by the DNR:
Data from the DNR website details by day the number of inspections conducted on the weekends, holiday’s, and decontamination days at the Grand Lake Access. I shows and average of 28.2 inspections per day, with the Monday holiday’s of Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day averaging 42 inspections. On average, Sunday shows 32.7 inspections, and Saturday shows. 24.3(See Attached). DNR data shows 1014 inspections, the ILID estimates 2020 launches and retrievals, which means that without the ILID, 50% of the access activity would not be captured.
Zebra Mussel Detection Plates:
Nine Zebra Mussel Detection Plates were placed on docks located at the DNR access, at Eddie’s on Grand, and at Grand Lake Improvement District Board members.
No Zebra Mussels were detected, however, the detection plates did attract large quantities of Chinese Snails that highlights their continued reproduction at an alarming rate. The DNR does not currently have a solution to help reduce the population and at this point we have no acceptable way to address this infestation.
Grand Lake is currently infested with Curly Leaf Pond Weed and Chinese Snails. Grand Lake is also subject to the introduction of all types of AIS from boaters visiting the lake from infested waters. The DNR Fisheries Estimate of Boat Traffic rates Grand Lake into the highest Traffic grouping in Stearns County.
Grand Lake Improvement District implemented three elements to help prevent the introduction and spread of AIS into, and out of Grand Lake.
Pilot ILID Program:
Grand Lake Improvement District contracted with Environmental Sentry Protection LLC to install and complete ILID system that included video and audio monitoring of the DNR access. The total cost of the system and services was $9185.00 with funding from the Stearns County AIS Committee of $4273.75 (see attached invoice).
The objectives for utilizing the installation of the ILID include the monitoring of activity at the access to include traffic count, day of week, and hour of day usage, and the education of the public through both the visual and audio messages presented by the ILID. We firmly believe in the Hawthorne effect that defines “a type of reactivity in which individuals modify or improve an aspect of their behavior in response to their awareness of being observed.”
There are both quantitative and subjective results to report based on Environmental Sentry Protection LLC monthly monitoring the video recording along with Grand Lake Improvement district monitoring of 6 weeks of activity.
Quantitative Results show that the ILID counted 12,123 positive trips which would account for approximately 2020 boat launches if you divide the positive trips by 6 that would take into account the original launch, the movement of the trailer to the parking lot, and the walking of the driver back to the launch boat and vice-versa (see report attached). The implementation of a magnetic sensor will reduce false positives in 2017. It also shows that weekends, Friday’s, and Monday’s are the busiest days with Monday’s skewed by 3 Monday holidays during the summer season. Based on these results, we are requesting expanded hours on weekends, and 8 hours of inspection on Friday’s for 2017.
Subjective results show evidence that there is a great awareness of the presence to the ILID. There have been attempts to cover the camera to prevent detection. Many launch users look at the camera and acknowledge its presence and are seen reading the ILID signage and listening to the audio. Many users are seen double-checking their boats and trailers in front of the ILID prior to launching. We feel that the presence of the ILID has had a great educational benefit for both visitors and lake homeowners alike. The board felt that the LID could not afford to have boat inspections 7 days a week, 10 to 12 hours a day, but feel the ILID gives us both a Hawthorne effect that makes users of our lake more vigilant in following the rules, and provides education and audio reminders to be aware of AIS issues.
We have not noticed any reportable video’s that have contaminated boats or trailers entering Grand Lake. The board review of the 6 weeks of video’s tends to show many of the visitors are repeat visitors, and many on a regular basis. We might assume that at least this group of visitors is aware of the ILID and pays extra care in cleaning their boats of visible issues. We have also noticed that when weeds are detected on the video’s, it take place when the trailer is extracted from the lake with our without the boat. Based on this information, Grand Lake Improvement District will work with the DNR to try to keep the access area free of weeds, especially Curley Leaf Pond Weed.
Although we have not reported to the DNR or County authorities any suspected violations of the transport of AIS based on ILID videos, it would be beneficial if the AIS Committee and the Stearns County COLA begin the discussion of more active enforcement of AIS violations in Stearns County. If the public is aware that AIS violations are being issued no matter the circumstances, it will only make the ILID more effective.
Boat Inspection on Weekends and Holidays:
Grand Lake Improvement District having no knowledge of the activity of the DNR access site requested 8 hours of inspection on weekends and holiday’s. We were granted 248 hours of inspection by Lamb Services for a cost of $4216.00. Inspections were scheduled between 7AM and 3PM with Grand Lake Improvement District providing signage and a tent structure for protection of the inspector. Routine visits by board members with the inspectors were conducted to provide input and assistance when needed. The Board and homeowners were very happy with the services provided and reported no problems with the inspectors, or lake visitors.
Quantitative data provide by the DNR:
Data from the DNR website details by day the number of inspections conducted on the weekends, holiday’s, and decontamination days at the Grand Lake Access. I shows and average of 28.2 inspections per day, with the Monday holiday’s of Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day averaging 42 inspections. On average, Sunday shows 32.7 inspections, and Saturday shows. 24.3(See Attached). DNR data shows 1014 inspections, the ILID estimates 2020 launches and retrievals, which means that without the ILID, 50% of the access activity would not be captured.
Zebra Mussel Detection Plates:
Nine Zebra Mussel Detection Plates were placed on docks located at the DNR access, at Eddie’s on Grand, and at Grand Lake Improvement District Board members.
No Zebra Mussels were detected, however, the detection plates did attract large quantities of Chinese Snails that highlights their continued reproduction at an alarming rate. The DNR does not currently have a solution to help reduce the population and at this point we have no acceptable way to address this infestation.
