Learn at the 10/4/23 MnDOT Open House how the "dam" on Long Lake is planned be replaced in 2025 as part of the Highway 87 - Hubbard projects

 

Below is information regarding an upcoming Open House to learn more and get questions answered on the Highway 87 - Hubbard projects.  We will also provide updates as more information becomes available.

 

 

You are invited to visit and learn about three future MN Dept of Transportation (MnDOT) Highway 87 - Hubbard projects on Wed. 10/4/2023, 5 to 7 PM!

 

Why is it important for Long Lake property owners to come to the Hubbard Community Center Open House?   You may ask the questions you have been wondering about!

1.      Will the replacement of what we think of as the "dam", which is the MnDOT-owned culvert along with the DNR-owned Inlet Control Structure replacement at the south end of Long Lake in 2025, affect the Long Lake water level during the project and after the project completion?  

2.      What is the MN DNR's involvement in the MnDOT 2025 project?  What are the likely impacts, if any, to fish, loons and recreation during 2025?

3.      How will the public access the businesses in Hubbard, the church, the playground, the Township monthly meetings, etc?   These three Highway 87 – Hubbard projects will require detours.

 

Open House: Wed 10/4/23, 5 to 7 PM, 

Hubbard Community Center, 

12141 County 6, Park Rapids, MN.

MnDOT Hwy 87 Project Staff Available to Answer Questions on the future 2024 and 2025 projects. Arrive anytime.  

2025 Construction on Hwy 87:  

Hwy 71 to Hubbard

·         Urban reconstruct in Hubbard

·         Rural reconstruct, shoulder widening

·         Culvert replacement at Long Lake

    Third Crow Wing Lake to Hwy 64

·         Resurface

·         Culvert replacements

 

2024 Construction on Hwy 87:  

          Reconstruct Hubbard to Third Crow Wing

·         Includes reconstructing Highway 87 and widening the shoulders

 

VIP - Be sure to Sign Up for the project email updates on the MnDOT Highway 87 - Hubbard project:   www.mndot.gov/d2/projects/hwy87-hubbard

 

Watch too for future articles on the Hwy 87 - Hubbard Projects in the Long Lake Area Association (Hubbard County) Inc Newsletters:

The LLAA 2023 Spring Newsletter contained an article on page 9 about the project and the drilling unit that was placed near the dam.  The unit was investigating the soils deep below the road so that the box culvert replacement can be engineered correctly.  The MnDOT Central Office Geo Tech crew took soil samples and had them analyzed.  The newsletters are online: https://www.longlakeliving.org/p/newsletters.html

Long Lake End of Summer Update

Long Lake Area Association (LLAA) Members

It’s hard to believe that fall is just around the corner. We hope that you had a great time on the lake with your family and friends!

I’d like update you on several items, including:

• Fall roadside clean up on September 16
• Starry stonewort mitigation / Foundation funding for treatments
• AIS assessment / AIS Prevention Coordinator contact info

Fall Roadside Clean Up
Join us for our County 20 roadside clean up on Saturday, September 16, at 2:00 p.m. This is where the Long Lake Area Association (LLAA) members and their friends and family come together to clean a seven mile stretch along County 20.  

This cleanup comes at an important time of the year. It allows us to clean the roadside before the fall winds have a chance to blow debris and trash into the lake and before winter sets in. We will gather on the sand road where Hwy. 87 and Cty. 20 meet and receive supplies and instructions. We hope to see you!

If you would like to help but can’t make it that day, email Jaimie Beretta at longlakeliving@gmail.com in advance and she can assign a section for you to clean on your own.

Starry Stonewort Mitigation / Foundation Funding for Treatments
As most of you are already aware, the aquatic invasive species (AIS) Starry Stonewort was discovered in our lake during a regularly scheduled aquatic vegetation survey. This survey is done by professionals every five years.  

The Association board and the Foundation board were able to act swiftly to allocate funding for treatments to help mitigate the AIS. Treatments have already started.  

This is an excellent example of how your donations to the Foundation are used for Long Lake preservation efforts. It is very important that donations be made to our Foundation so that we can continue to keep our lake healthy. Please consider making a donation! For PayPal click here:
or send a check to LLAA Foundation, PO Box 808, Park Rapids MN 56470

AIS assessment / AIS Coordinator contact info
Wondering if you have starry stonewort? Be sure to look at our web page for pictures and info to help you in identifying starry stonewort vs. wild celery. (https://www.longlakeliving.org/p/ais-identification.html)
Wild celery is a very similar looking plant that is native and enjoyed by waterfowl. It helps bind phosphorus for a healthy lake.  

Another helpful identification tip is the star shaped bulbils are in the sediment on the bottom of the starry stonewort on rhizomes that look like fish-line. Wild celery (native aquatic vegetation) produces a tiny whitish flower on a long thin stem with no leaves at this time in the year.

NOTE:  As fall arrives, remember to check your docks and lifts for zebra mussels after removal from the lake.

If you have questions, please email or call Sharon Natzel, our LLAA AIS Prevention Coordinator at longlakeliving@gmail.com

The LLAA board continues to monitor the situation and will update as new information becomes available.  Be sure to check this website longlakeliving.org and our Facebook page often for new updates.  

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Starry Stonewort

 

The Long Lake Area Association (LLAA) is actively working on mitigation efforts for the invasive species Starry Stonewort. The following FAQs provide insights around these efforts, as well as other notables. 

 

 

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 8/30/2023

1. How, where, and when was starry stonewort confirmed on Long Lake? 

On August 13, 2023, the team from Aquatic Survey Professionals (the firm hired by the Long Lake Area Association (LLAA) to conduct the aquatic vegetation survey) detected AIS Starry Stonewort in about a 5 foot diameter bright green patch underwater at a depth of about 10 feet near the south end of the lake. You will find a more detailed recap of events on our longlakeliving.org website. 

 2. What are the potential lake impacts of this invasive species?

Starry Stonewort (SSW) is a fast growing, easily spread macro-algae which if left unmitigated can form dense mats which can interfere with recreational usage of the lake and compete with native plants.

3. What is the Long Lake Area Association (Hubbard County, MN) doing to mitigate the impact of this species? 

 The MN DNR advised mitigation via chemical (Copper Sulfate and Endothall) treatments and hand pulling beginning as soon as it can be arranged. The Association secured a permit and DNR-approved vendors. The first phase will begin in the next 10 days (weather permitting). Going forward, treatment will be needed two times per year. Aquatic vegetation surveying and monitoring will continue in an attempt to locate any SSW as early as possible. The Association will also continue to educate and inform others via our website, kiosk and emails.

4. Is the treatment being applied to the confirmed starry stonewort safe for people, plants, and fish?

Based on guidance from PLM Lake and Land Management Corp (the firm supplying the chemicals) and the labels for the DNR-approved products, there are no restrictions for swimming, fish consumption, irrigation of food crops, ornamentals or turf and livestock watering. Copper Sulfate is blue and will turn the treatment area blue in color for a short amount of time. It’s very unlikely that the water would stay blue for more than 30 minutes post treatment. Treatments will start within 10 days.

5. Is the Association responsible for paying for starry stonewort detection and mitigation services?

The Lake Association and LLAA Foundation work together to protect and preserve our lake. The Foundation is the organization that is paying for the detection and mitigation. The funds come from our Annual Foundation Fundraising efforts. 

6. What are the Association’s plans to detect and mitigate aquatic invasive species going forward? 

Proper management of SSW will require chemical treatment and/or and pulling twice a year on any patches discovered. Professional Aquatic Vegetation surveys will be done as needed and LLAA volunteer-led shoreline monitoring for early detection of AIS will continue. We will continue to supplement watercraft inspection hours at the North and South accesses, as well as provide information and updates on the website, Facebook, annual meeting and kiosks at the accesses. Emails with timely information will also be sent. 

7.  What should lake users do to mitigate the risk of spreading SSW and other aquatic invasive species? 

SSW is most likely spread when fragments or tiny bulbils have not been properly cleaned from boats and trailers and personal watercraft anchors, docks, boat lifts, or other related equipment. Please see the DNR press release for more helpful tips on reducing the risk of spreading AIS. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/news/2023/08/24/starry-stonewort-confirmed-long-lake-hubbard-county   
Free Decontamination cleaning is available nearby, call 218-616-1631 to make an appointment. 

8. What should you do/not do if you see suspected starry stonewort or any other invasive species?  

If you are on Long Lake take a picture and please notify our LLAA AIS Team by emailing longlakeliving@gmail.com. A team member will be in contact with you. The LLAA AIS team will contact the Invasive Species Specialist at the MN DNR if needed. Wild Celery is a very similar looking vegetation that is often confused for SSW. A detailed description of Wild Celery is located here to help in your proper identification. https://www.longlakeliving.org/p/ais-identification.html 

9. Where do I learn more about starry stonewort and other aquatic invasive species? 

Hubbard County COLA Identification page
DNR Invasive Aquatic ID guide
AIS indentifcation guide - free to download from MAISRC

10. Who do I contact with questions/concerns? 

Please email longlakeliving@gmail.com and your email will be forwarded to the proper contacts.