New Information on Firepits by the Lake

During Keith Manlove's presentation at our LLAA annual meeting, he mentioned that fire pits close to the lake contribute to phosphorus runoff into the lake. The Hubbard County Shoreland Guide published by the Hubbard County Soil and Water District has rules for fire pits and other methods to help control run off into Long Lake.

The following is taken from the Shoreland Guide:

• Locate fire pits away from the shore and dispose of ash. The leftover ash from burning wood is very high in phosphorus.  If the fire pit is located near the lake, rain can wash the ashes into the lake.
• Locate the fire pit at least 50 feet away from the lake.
• Remove ashes from the fire pit regularly to prevent the phosphorus-loaded ashes from being blown or washed into the lake.

Find out more about methods to reduce phosphorus run off here:
Hubbard County Shoreland Guide to Lake Stewardship

FYI:  The average one acre lawn yields one pound of phosphorus to the lake every year.  One acre is approximately 208.71 feet × 208.71 feet.  An acre is 43,560 square feet.  Therefore the small 50 foot lots on Chippewa Loop and other older development areas along the lake are about a third of an acre.