Big Sand Lake Association
committed to the preservation of Big Sand Lake
Big Sand Lake • Current News & Events
01/16/2020 - Calling for Spring Newsletter Articles
Fellow Friends of Big Sand Lake,
As winter tightens its cold grip on Big Sand Lake, some of us are starting to think about springtime and warmer weather. It is also time to start thinking about the spring newsletter. Many of you have submitted some great articles in the past and everyone has enjoyed reading about your experiences on Big Sand Lake. I am asking you to consider submitting an article for the spring newsletter, don't feel limited to springtime related articles. Articles on anything related to the lake, winter or spring activities, lake history, etc. would be great to include in the newsletter.
We have many talented writers among our members, and the newsletter is a great opportunity to share your experiences with everyone on the lake. The deadline for submitting articles is on or before April 15. Please don't leave me up to my own imagination and devices, or we may have a very short and boring newsletter.If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.
Regards, Bob Bray
01/16/2020 - Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates
According to an article published in the Star Tribune on January 14, 2020, one in eight Minnesotans drink nitrate-tainted tap water. To read the fill article, click here: http://m.startribune.com/one-in-eight-minnesotans-drink-nitrate-tainted-water/566960262/
01/02/2020 - Note from President Bob Bray
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and I wish everyone a healthy and happy 2020.
I enourage everyone to pay their membership dues early in 2020, this significantly helps us with our bookkeeping processes throughout the year.
If you know someone who is not a BSLA member, please urge them to join BSLA now. We need everyone’s help to keep our lake beautiful, pritine, and free from invasive species. Some of the BSLA supported activities include monthly testing of water clarity and quality, inspections for zebra mussel villagers, maintenance of the lake buoys, attending AIS detection and identification training seminars and working with the Big Sand Lake Charitable Fund to finance AIS watercraft inspections at the public landing. These are just a few of the many activities your dues and donations support to keep our lake pristine for future generations and for all who live and visit here.
Make checks payable to BSLA. BSLA is a 501c3 and donations are tax-deductible.
You can mail your check and membership form to:
BSLA - P.O. Box 181, Park Rapids, MN 56470
If you prefer to renew, join or make a donation on-line with PayPal or a credit card, using the online renewal form. You can also make a donation online to support the BSLA charitable fund. The charitable fund supports the annual aquatic invasive species inspection program at the public access. This vital program is our front line of defense against invasive species gaining a foothold in our beautiful lake. Soon you will also receive a membership renewal form and envelope in the mail for those who prefer to renew by mail.
Thank you in advance for supporting the Big Sand Lake Association, Bob Bray, President BSLA
12/20/2019 - Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center
It was another exciting and productive year at the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center! I continue to be inspired by our researchers – from the first semester students to the tenured professors – all working toward a common goal of finding research-based solutions to Minnesota’s AIS problems. As I look back on 2019, it is amazing what has been accomplished. read more...
11/24/2019 - Hubbard County COLA
A report from a vigilant lake property owner led to the confirmation of zebra mussels in Big McDonald Lake in Otter Tail County.
A property owner sent the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources a photo of a zebra mussel attached to a dock being removed from his property on Big McDonald Lake. DNR invasive species specialists found an additional zebra mussel on a boat lift on an adjacent property.
The report above was sent out by the DNR on 10/31 of this year. I wanted you all to see it as it underscores our "eyes on the water" efforts. This is not an isolated incident - it is often lakeshore owners who first discover the presence of AIS in their lake. This knowledge can then be used to expand watercraft inspection efforts on these lakes, thereby helping to protect neighboring lakes not yet infested. This is what we did when zebra mussels were discovered in Garfield Lake in Hubbard county a couple of years ago.
The 2019 Eyes on the Water survey has now been completed. I wanted to share with you a few highlights. Surveys were sent to over 260 volunteers of which 141 responded - similar to last year. This years's respondents represented 56 different lakes, compared to just 36 lakes last year. Almost 90% of you look for signs of AIS along your lakeshore. Over 85% of you monitor some type of zebra mussel device.
Recognizing the need for zebra mussel monitoring at our public accesses this was greatly expanded in 2019. Last year we covered only 14 of these accesses. In 2019 COLA volunteers placed and monitored 24 devices at public accesses. An additional 13 samplers were placed at additional public accesses by a DNR intern. These also were checked by COLA volunteers.
I encourage you to drill down into the 2019 survey results found on our website at the following link http://hubbardcolamn.org/eyes-on-the-water---early-detection.html There you will find a summary of the 2019 responses, a comparison of survey results since the Eyes on the Water inception in 2016 and a list of all the public access monitored. In addition there is a report compiled of responders that shows which sides of each lake are being monitored. This is a useful tool for lake associations to verify they have volunteers adequately covering their lake.
Thank you for reading this far! And thank you for all you are doing to keep Hubbard County home to many of the most pristine lakes in the State. We have much to be thankful for.
Until next spring - best regards,
Jeff Mosner
