Shoreline management is essential for maintaining water quality, which supports both healthy fish populations and recreational activities on Long Lake. Proper shoreline practices—such as preserving natural vegetation and preventing erosion—help filter out pollutants like excess nutrients and sediment before they enter the water.
When these pollutants reach the lake, they can contribute to harmful algal blooms, low-oxygen conditions, and changes in water temperature that negatively affect fish and their habitat. Healthy shorelines also provide spawning areas and shelter for fish. By stabilizing the shoreline, reducing runoff, and maintaining native vegetation, shoreline management helps create a balanced ecosystem and keeps Long Lake enjoyable for the entire lake community.
Thank you for helping to protect Long Lake.
Before making changes to your shoreline property:
Check with Hubbard County Environmental Services and review the Shoreland Ordinance first.
As property owners, we often have questions and concerns about:
- What changes and improvements we can make to our property.
- What are the rules?
- Who is in charge?
- Do we need permits?
- Who issues them?
- Can my neighbor do that?
The LLAA is not directly involved in decisions about land use along Long Lake, but we share a strong interest in protecting the lake and helping property owners understand the shoreline regulations that apply. This section helps property owners understand and access Hubbard County Environmental Services, the Planning Commission, the Board of Adjustment, and the Shoreland Ordinance.
Hubbard County Environmental Services administers and issues permits for the following ordinances:
- Shoreland Management
- Subdivision
- Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS)
- Signs
- Shoreland Buffers
- E-911 addressing and Geographic Information System (GIS) parcel mapping
Lake-Friendly Gardening
Helpful resources for creating lake-friendly landscapes:
For ideas on plants to order, see the “Gardening Lake Friendly” presentation by Keith Manlove from the LLAA 2020 Annual Meeting.: Link to video of Keith’s presentation.
The workshop “Lawns & Lakes – There is a Connection!” was first presented September 22, 2020 through a collaboration between UMN Extension and the Hubbard County Coalition of Lake Associations.
Karen Terry (retired Water Resource Management, UMN Extension) created the workshop, and Hubbard County Master Gardener Keith Manlove presented an overview of how land use affects water quality.
Your lawn functions as a mini watershed, and through a “systems thinking” approach homeowners can learn practical ways to manage lawns and landscaping to improve lake water quality.
The Hubbard County SWCD now has its tree, shrub, plant plug, and seed ordering system available online.
New this year: under Tree Packs / Berry Packs you can order mixed packs containing 10 different tree varieties.
https://www.hubbardswcd.org/shop
Their most recent newsletter with program opportunities is available here:
https://www.hubbardswcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Fall-2025-SWCD-Newsletter-compressed.pdf
Current Shoreland Management Projects
Several Long Lake property owners are currently working on shoreline restoration projects to improve water quality and habitat along the lake.
Common goals of shoreline restoration projects include:
- Reduce runoff of fertilizers and other pollutants into the lake
- Improve shoreline appearance while maintaining natural vegetation
- Create habitat for wildlife such as birds, frogs, and other aquatic species
- Involve property owners in installation and maintenance
- Keep projects practical and cost-effective
Shannon Henrickson, Owner and Designer, Touch of Eden Landscaping has helped this family on the east side of Long Lake in Neighborhood #2 solve the problem of rain water, organic matter and nutrients running directly down the driveway and hill then on into the lake. The design pictured at the left utilizes a catch basin. The rainwater enters the catch basin and is then directed into 2 levels of gardens using a perforated tile / hose system. The rain gardens contain plants that are versatile & survive standing water for several days. The rainwater evaporates naturally. The sand and plant matter that washes down the driveway in a storm settles to the bottom of the catch basin. The homeowner can then physically remove the debris from the basin. Catching the organic matter and nutrients before they enter the lake helps prevent oxygen depletion in the lake. Fish need dissolved oxygen and our actions can help!