In this issue:

President’s Letter Ada Slot Limits Tapping of Water Acct. Thanks to Members! Association Calendar Eurasian Milfoil Update Stop Aquatic Hitchers Is Ada Getting Smaller? Loons in Cass County Spring Lake Turnover Helping Our Loons Bald Eagle Population Association Volunteers Need a Picnic Spot! Sign Pollution Boat Parade Notice MN PFD Regulations Conservation Officer DockPost Deadlines Lake Ada Water is Better Lake Home for Sale CC: Stop the Aliens Garage/Yard Sales Financial Statement New Director John Olson Ada Art Crawl 2010 Board of Directors

Ada Lake Association

Volu

me X

XV

III N

um

ber

1

Spring 2010

President’s Letter As I write my letter for our spring issue - with snow piled 6-7" high in front of our house in southern Minnesota - spring seems far away. It has been a long cold winter and spring will be very welcome!

I will give you ten reasons to vacation at Lake Ada: 1. Call of the loons 2. Friendly people 3. June annual meeting at Ponto Lake Town Hall to

learn about Lake Ada and current issues 4. Great fishing (you have to keep the faith!) 5. July 4th boat parade 6. July membership meeting/picnic where you can meet

your neighbors 7. Lake Ada wear that can be purchased from Doris

Montgomery 8. Clear lake – where you can swim and actually see the

bottom 9. Art Crawl around Lake Ada - Labor Day weekend 10. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets

I will admit I did have a little help with the list. What would be your top reasons to vacation at Lake Ada?

I would like to remind you at this time to take the insert in this Dock Post and mail in your membership dues before you forget. We need everyone! Let's make this the best year ever for membership!

If you have any concerns to be brought before the board, feel free to email me at lbenz@bevcomm.net or phone at 507-526-5295. I look forward to hearing from you. I cannot guarantee that your problem will be solved, but I will listen.

Remember to thank Jon Hansen and Tom Sorensen for this super publication.

See you at the lake! Kathleen Benz

To do list: - Pay membership dues - Contribute a photo or story to your website: www.minnesotawaters.org/adalake - Read this DockPost - Keep invasive milfoil out of Lake Ada

BENEFACTORS Ask, Donald & Shelly Beeken, David & Tracy Benz, Loren & Kathleen Bork, Paul & Yvonne Bormann, Stan & Shirley Brown, Gail Cater, David & Jean Soper Cater Culver, Scott & Mary Dagenais, Douglas & Mary Elthon, Robert & Greta Mae Ford, Michelle & Jon Rodebaugh Grinde, Steven & Kathy Hansen, Jon & Marilyn Hansen, Steven & Patricia Heegaard, David & Joanne Heegaard, Frank & Suzanne Johnson, Donley & Kathy Last, Thomas & Veronica Lee, Greg & Jennifer Lundstrom, Les & Donna Martin, Tom & Lois Olson, John & Cindy SUSTAINERS Anderson, Albert & Joyce Barrer, Norman & Lois Benjamin, Keith & Karen Benjamin, Kyle & Nancie Berglund, Muriel Bialick, Edward & Hannah Bleymeyer, Bob & Debby Brunhuber, Mary Ann Buck, Elsie & Ron Soplata Cates, Mark & Nancy Chapin, Larry & Sherry Chaplin, Gary & Kathy Christensen, Rollie & Carol Coonce, Harry & Susan Schilling Corona, Chris & Inger Hansen-Corona Couchman, John & Peggy Davis, Mary Kaye DeLay, Darlyne Dellwo, Mary Edwards, James & Barbara Freeman, Gloria Grow, Tom & Kay Gutknecht, Harry & Roberta

Harris, Dale & Gloria Haugland, John & Deborah Heegaard, Karen & Chuck LeGros Heider, Tom & Carol Hicks, Dan & Mary Holtz, Craig & Vicki Horst, Bill & Kathy Johnson, Calvin & Marcella La Botnik Johnson, Carolyn Kelly, Stephen & Barbara Kenyon, Chris King, Ricky & Colleen Kitzmann, Ron & Vicki Kosel, Thomas & Susan LaBerge, Andre & Laura Lehmann, Carl & Lee Lilja, John & Marlys Lilja, Philip Ludwig, B.J. & Beverly Lundquist, Mark & Mary Maneske, Phil McDonald, Brad & Peggy McKenny, Richard & Susan Mecklenberg, Mike & Shelly Metcalf, Don & Joyce Middleton, Frank & Pia Montgomery, Porter & Doris Nelson, Mike & Susan Nelson, Milford & Linda Nelson, Stephen & Lorraine Olson, James & Phyllis Ostroot, Karen Owen, Audrey Pattinson, Beth Payne, Les & Barbara Petersen, Jim & Veronika Pietsch, Forrest & Carol Prososki, Mike Prososki, Ronald & Karen Raymond, Dennis & Naomi Redelsheimer, Lynne Reichow, Ralph & Darleen Robbins, Grant & Heather Robbins, Harry & Lois Ronning, Marjorie Rother, Mike & Patty Sadecki, Lorraine

Smith, Neil & Denice Sohlstrom, Gary & Joan Sohn, David & Priscilla Solyst, Mark & Carol Sorensen, Thomas & Trese Staack, Dean & Pat Steadman, Marc & Ramona Steinhoff, Leroy & Sue Stender, Bob & Cindy Strasser, Mark & Janis Strom, Britta Tracy, Joe & Ellen Ubben, Ron & Carolyn Vold, Darrell & Pat Weaver, Merle & Naree Weigle, Jim & Donna Welch, Sean & Jilean Yarger,Dorothy & Dwile Kwasniewski Zaffke, John & Karen Zesbaugh, John & Mary CONTRIBUTORS Anderson, Craig & Diane Benz, Lisa Coleman, Norm & Laurie DiLauro, George & Elizabeth Gordon, Jack & Beth Lundholm Greving, Virginia Halvorson, Pauline Harder, Steven & Therese Miller, Bob & Jan Nelson, Dennis & Marva Olson, Curtis & Clarice Olson, Tom & Wendy Powell, Thomas & Mary Schuster, Lois Watson, David & Susan Wilke, Larry & Carole Wright, Charles & Suzanne

Your lake association works because of all of you. The Ada Lake Association wishes to express sincere thanks to each of the following members for their generous contributions over and above annual membership dues for 2009. Regular dues alone cannot meet

annual Association expenses. Without these contributions the Association could not continue all its present projects and activities.

Tax Planning

The Ada Lake Association is a 501(c) 3 Environmental Corporation.

Federal ID # 41-1768228. Contributions are tax deductible. All dues are

currently used in ways that do not directly benefit members and they are all deductible

contributions.

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Minnesota Department of Natural Resources If you are a water recreationist—boater, angler, water-skier, sailor, or canoeist—there are some important things you can do to prevent the transport of harmful invasive species from one lake or river to another. In Minnesota it is illegal to transport prohibited invasive species.

* INSPECT your boat, trailer, and equipment and remove visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud before leaving the water access.

* DRAIN water from your boat, motor, bilge, live wells, and bait containers before leaving the water access.

* SPRAY, RINSE, or DRY boats and recreational equipment to remove or kill species that were not visible when leaving a waterbody. Before transporting to another water: Spray/rinse with high pressure, and/or hot

tap water (above 120? F), especially if moored for more than a day; or dry for at least five days

* DISPOSE of unwanted bait and other animals or aquatic plants in the trash.

* REPORT new sightings of aquatic invasive species. If you suspect a new infestation of an invasive plant or animal, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. * ADDITIONAL STEPS are recommended for the following activities: * Shore and fly-fishing - Remove aquatic plants, animals, and mud from waders and hip boots. Drain water from bait containers. * Personal watercraft - Avoid running engine through aquatic plants. Run engine for 5-10 seconds on the trailer to blow out excess water and vegetation from internal drive, then turn off engine. Remove aquatic plants and animals from water intake grate, steering nozzle, watercraft hull, and trailer. * Sailing - Remove aquatic plants and animals from hull, centerboard or bilgeboard wells,rudderpost area, and trailer. * Scuba diving - Remove aquatic plants, animals, and mud from equipment. Drain water from buoyancy compensator (bc), regulator, tank boot, and other containers. Rinse suit and inside of bc with hot water. * Waterfowl hunting Remove aquatic plants, animals, and mud from boat, motor, trailer, waders or hip boots, decoy lines, and anchors (elliptical and bulb-shaped anchors can help reduce snagging aquatic plants). Cut cattails or other plants above the waterline when they are used for camouflage or blinds. More information is available at Protect Your Waters and in the brochure “Help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers”.

Lake Learning: Spring Turnover in our Lakes

Moriya Rufer

We are now near spring season on our lakes again. Once the ice melts off the lake, the lake goes through a period of mixing like it did back in the fall.

First, I'll recap the underlying cause of the lake mixing phenomenon. The layering of lakes has to do with the relationship between water density and temperature. Water is most dense at 39 Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius), and as water warms or cools from that mark it gets less dense. This has implications for a lake's structure because the denser water is heavier and will be at the bottom of a lake while the less dense water is lighter and will generally be at the top of the lake.

In the winter, most of the water under the ice is 39 Fahrenheit; however, there is a thin layer of water under the ice that is colder than 39 and therefore less dense. This thin layer of water floats on top of the lake under the ice throughout the winter.

In the spring in Minnesota the ice melts off the lake, and the top layer of water on the lake gets warmed by the sun to 39 F, which matches the temperature of the rest of the lake water. Then the spring wind picks up and the lake mixes again. This is called spring turnover. Oxygen and nutrients get distributed throughout the water column as the water mixes.

As nutrients are available at the surface of the water again and the sun gets stronger, the first algae are able to grow. In May the water may look somewhat brownish, which is due to the type of algae that grows at that time of year. The earliest algae are called diatoms, and they have more of a brownish color than a green color.

In the winter, the fish go where there is oxygen in the lake. That usually means the deeper spots. As the lake turns over and plants start growing in the shallow areas again, they add oxygen to the water through photosynthesis and provide cover for fish from predators. The fish then begin returning to shallow water.

The timing and duration of spring turnover depends on the size and depth of the lake. As the weather becomes warmer in late May, the surface water warms again and begins to float on top of the cold

deeper water. Once the lake begins to form into layers, summer stratification (layering) has begun.

You can track spring turnover in an individual lake with a Secchi disk. A Secchi disk measures water clarity. During spring turnover, the clarity of a lake usually decreases because mixing brings up nutrient rich water from the bottom of the lake and causes the lake to look cloudy. Also, the algae start growing due to the available nutrients, which decreases water clarity. Then, when turnover is complete, the clarity increases. If you take Secchi disk readings and surface water temperature readings every few days in May and early June, you can track spring turnover.

Most lakes in northern Minnesota are considered dimictic, meaning they mix twice a year - spring and fall. Shallow lakes, less than 15-20 feet, behave differently and can mix more often throughout the summer.

Moriya Rufer is the Lakes Monitoring Program Coordinator for RMB Environmental Laboratories in Detroit Lakes. © 2007 RMB Environmental Laboratories, Inc.

INVEST IN THE FUTURE

RELEASE YOUR CATCH

Endorsed by the Ada Lake Association

Please send DockPost items to the editors:

Jon Hansen: jon.hansen@uni.edu Tom Sorensen: wave2000@aol.com Deadlines for submitting materials to be published in 2010 DockPosts are:

• April 1 • June 14 • Sept 1

• Sept 1 •

Association Volunteers

These people have volunteered their time and talents to help the Ada Lake Association run smoothly. The Association has no paid employees; all duties are performed by volunteers. We are all grateful for their help, let them know how much their efforts are appreciated.

Officers President, Kathleen Benz Vice President, Doug Dagenais Secretary, Joan Olson Treasurer, Paul Bork

Directors Executive Director, Jon Hansen Al Anderson Keith Benjamin Stan Bormann David Cater David Heegaard Laura LaBerge Phil Lilja Doris Montgomery Jim Olson John Olson Jim Petersen David Sohn Merle Weaver

Township Representative Merle Weaver

DockPost Editors Jon Hansen Tom Sorensen

Website Webmaster, Tom Sorensen

Adopt A Highway, CR 49 (open)

Adopt A Highway, CR 79 Merle Weaver

“Beaver Boys” & Walleye Spawning Committee Stan Bormann Jon Hansen Porter Montgomery Tom Montgomery Jim Petersen

Paul Scribner David Sohn Jim Squiers

Caps, Shirts & Mugs Doris Montgomery Porter Montgomery

Citizen’s Lake Monitoring Program Jon Hansen

Documents Committee David Cater Paul Bork Jon Hansen Phil Lilja

Hazard & Navigation Markers Harry Robbins John Couchman Tim Couchman David Morgan Grant Robbins

Lake Level Minnesota Karen Benjamin

Land Use and Zoning Committee Stan Bormann Steve Kelly Phil Lilja Tom Olson Trese Sorensen

Little Ada No-Wake Markers Jon Hansen Ricky King

Loon Nesting Platforms Jon Hansen Keith Benjamin

Membership Chairman Paul Bork

Minnesota Loon Watchers Jon Hansen Marilyn Hansen

Rainfall Monitoring Keith Benjamin

Water Quality Committee Stan Bormann Jon Hansen David Sohn

July 4th Boat Parade

Although it’s very early in the year to announce the time of the

July 4th boat parade, the summer issue of the DockPost will not be in the mail until mid-

July.

The 2010 Parade of Boats will begin July 4th at 2 pm

in the North Bay

While the July 4th Boat Parade is not an Ada Lake Association sponsored activity, we do wish

to help the organizers by notifying everyone of this

popular event.

Once again, the Olsons have volunteered to serve as parade marshals. Call Steve or Joan at 947-3648 for timely information.

A reminder…

Lake Ada has a northern pike protected slot! A Department of Natural Resources protected slot limit on Lake Ada northerns went into effect May, 2003. All Lake Ada northern pike from 24” through 36” must be immediately returned to the water. Anglers are limited to a possession of 3 northern pike, not more than one over 36” allowed in possession.

Also note the walleye possession limit: Anglers are limited to a possession of 6 walleye, not more than 1 over 20” allowed in possession.

Once a daily or possession limit of fish has been reached, no culling or live-well sorting is allowed.

Conservationist’s Corner

Clean, drain, dry your boat and equipment before transporting!

It is illegal to transport invasive aquatic plants and animals, as well as water from waterbodies infested with zebra mussels or spiny waterfleas.

Violators could face fines up to $500.

“We hope citations and warnings will raise awareness that this state looks at invasive species very seriously,” said Capt. John Hunt, DNR Water Resource Enforcement Manager. “Once a species like the zebra mussel gets into our waters, it’s very unlikely we can eliminate it. That’s why prevention is critical.”

Meet our Newest

Director

John Olson joined the Board of Directors in July 2009. He has been

running around Lake Ada for 48 years, ever since his parents built

their cabin in the North Bay.

John is founder and CEO of Olson & Co. of Minneapolis. He loves the trails around the lake and hopes to play a role in keeping Lake Ada pristine for

generations to come.

2010 Ada Lake Association Calendar May 22 Board Meeting 9 am Montgomery’s June 12 Business Meeting 10 am Ponto Township Hall July 17 Board Meeting 9 am Bork’s July 31 Annual Membership Meeting & Picnic 4 pm TBA Aug 28 Board Meeting 9 am Weaver’s

Is Lake Ada Really Getting Smaller?

Over the past few years observers have noted changes in various agencies’ assessments of Lake Ada’s size. The DNR Division of Waters

has long listed Lake Ada as 1,044 acres, while the Department of Conservation, Division of Game & Fish, has shown us at 974.5. DNR

Fisheries settled for 974. Now, in 2010, the DNR Lake Finder lists us at 963.3 acres, Cass County at 963, and the MPCA at 944.7. DNR Waters show

us to be 944.705614 acres. Why the size differences, and why are they getting smaller?

Michele Walker, Area Hydrologist with DNR Waters in Bemidji, offers this explanation: “The difference between the values you've referenced is most likely a difference in when the previous measurements of the lake basin occurred and how it was measured. Measurement is only as good as the map that the measurement is taken from and previous measurements of the lake basin were done on older maps with a much larger scale than is available today. Some measurements may have been taken from USGS quadrangle maps and others from aerial photos. If the basin was measured from aerial photos, then the date of the measurement makes a huge difference in the amount of area of the lake. If the water levels were up, then the basin may have appeared bigger, if the water levels were down, then smaller. If levels were up, more wetlands may have been included. Currently, our data shows that the lake basin is just under 945 acres in size. As quality of air photos improves, and perhaps as we get more accurate LIDAR data (elevation data), the lake basin values won't change as much. But, if we do get more accurate data, then we provide this to the public.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Helping Our Loons Loon nesting platforms and warning marker buoys were placed on the lake immediately following ice-out. While loons normally move onto the platforms within days or even hours of installation, it will be interesting to follow their movements in a spring with such an early thaw. During their first weeks, loon babies are under constant threat from northern pike, big turtles, eagles, hawks and a variety of other predators. Let’s all do our best to make sure they aren’t also threatened by inattentive boaters. Over the past few years boats on Lake Ada have killed at least three little loons. Loon chicks are at the mercy of boaters. They can’t swim very fast and, because they are so buoyant, cannot easily dive to avoid danger. Lake waves also make them very difficult to see. Please keep a sharp eye out for loon families. Give all loons a wide berth. With the threats they live with each day, they need all the help we can give.

Here are a few tips from the DNR Nongame Wildlife Program to help protect loons throughout the season. ●Watch loons from at least 200 feet away. ●Use non-lead fishing sinkers and jigs. ●Avoid islands before July 15th; loons prefer islands for nesting. ●Protect native shoreline vegetation. ●Dispose of garbage at designated collection sites. ●Be an ethical angler; never fish or cast near loon nests. ●Keep dogs and cats away from loons and nests. ●Use only phosphorus-free fertilizers on shorelands. ●Report unusual loon activity or loon harassment. ●Be a responsible boater.

2010 Lake Ada Picnic

We need a spot!

A site for the 2010 Lake Ada Membership Meeting and Picnic has yet to be determined. The July picnic is our biggest social event, and its success depends on the willingness of Lake Ada residents to provide a location. Set-up and tear-down volunteers will do the work if you’ll provide the spot! If you’d like to host this year’s event please contact Kathleen Benz at 587-2976 or lbenz@bevcomm.net

-----------------------------------------------

Minnesota Personal Flotation Device Regulations Each year we like to start off the boating season with a quick

review of Minnesota’s life jacket (PFD) regulations. On all boats (except sailboards) regardless of length (including canoes, kayaks and duck boats), there must be a readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III or V wearable PFD for each person on board. Type IV throwable devices, such as buoyant cushions, are no longer acceptable primary lifesaving devices. In addition, on boats 16 feet or longer (except canoes and kayaks), there must also be at least one U.S. Coast Guard approved Type IV throwable device, such as a buoyant cushion or ring buoy immediately available for each boat. Anyone operating or riding on a personal watercraft MUST WEAR a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD. Mandatory Child Life Jacket Wear Law: As of May 6, 2005, Minnesota law requires a life jacket TO BE WORN by children less than 10 years old when aboard any watercraft while underway. Let’s all work toward a safe 2010 boating season. See the 2010 Minnesota Boating Guide for details.

Lake Ada Water Quality is Getting Even Better!

Jon Hansen The goal of the Ada Lake Association is to “Preserve and Protect Lake Ada.” It was, therefore, particularly gratifying to receive notice from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency that Lake Ada has been added to the list of Minnesota lakes with improving water quality. That is not to say our water quality has been poor, but rather to acknowledge it is getting even better. In 1986 Lake Ada received funding for a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Lake Assessment Program. Extensive water tests were completed and the subsequent report, released in February 1987, provided the Association with a valuable benchmark of Lake Ada’s water quality, against which all subsequent tests could be compared. While the MPCA report concluded, “Although Lake Ada’s current water quality and recent historical water quality reflect very good conditions,” it also indicated, “the lake could exhibit a measurable decline in transparency with only a small increase in in-lake total phosphorus.” Continued CLMP monitoring was recommended. During the fall of 2009 the MPCA and RMB Environmental Testing Labs both completed transparency trend analyses of Lake Ada based on Secchi disk readings submitted over the past 20+ years. RMB requires a minimum of eight to ten years of data, with four or more readings per season and MPCA requires a minimum of ten years of data with eight to ten readings per season. Minimum requirements of eight to ten years make it possible to determine actual long-term trends while minimizing the possibility of faulty data caused by short-term variation. The first recorded reading of Lake Ada’s water transparency was performed in 1958 by DNR Fisheries. RMB Environmental Testing Labs reported: “The probability that a true significant trend exists is 99.9%. Secchi Disk is increasing, which indicates improving water quality.” Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reported: “Water clarity in this lake (Lake Ada) is almost certainly improving, with an estimated increase of 0.8 feet per decade. This estimated change could

potentially range from an increase of 0.3 feet per decade to an increase of 1.2 feet per decade.” The MPCA analysis also indicated Lake Ada exceeded expectations for both low chlorophyll a and low total phosphorus. Secchi depth readings were at the maximum (deepest) end of the expectation range. Lake Ada’s Average Trophic State Index was calculated at 40 - the transition from trophic to mesotrophic. Interestingly, TSI(Secchi) was shown to be 38. Our own testing records reveal that even with the shoreland development which has taken place over the past 23 years, Lake Ada had lower total phosphorus in 2008 than in 1986 when our MPCA Lake Assessment Program was performed. We also had deeper Secchi readings but, for some reason, somewhat higher levels of chlorophyll a. Year 1986 2008

Total phosphorus: 17 ug/l 11.6 ug/l Chlorophyll a: 3.37 ug/l 4.2 ug/l Secchi disk: 13.7 ft 14.9 ft

Trend analyses confirm Lake Ada’s water quality is improving. Association projects such as the Lake Ada Comprehensive Septic Survey are having a positive effect, and adherence to programs like Minnesota Extension’s Shoreland Best Management Practices will help insure the quality of our water in the future.

-----------------------------------------------------------

4th Annual Lake Ada Garage/Yard Sales

The 4th Annual Lake Ada Garage/Yard Sales will be on Saturday, July 3, 2010. Start cleaning out that house,

cabin, garage, shed or whatever. An ad will be placed in the Echo Shopper announcing the Lake Ada Garage/Yard Sales. If you have a sale that day you will be asked to share in the cost for the ad. Each household is responsible to place their own signs at their driveways. If you plan to have a sale that day or need more information you may contact Sherry Chapin at 218-587-5075 or lands1@tds.net. We have found this to be a great time to have the sale – a lot of people around for the holiday.

3333rdrdrdrd Annual Lake Ada Art Crawl Annual Lake Ada Art Crawl Annual Lake Ada Art Crawl Annual Lake Ada Art Crawl

Plan to attend this fun event on September 4 & 5 –

the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend.

Show hours are 10-4 on Saturday and 11-3 on

Sunday. Interest in this event is growing every year.

Check out the website at lakeadaartcrawl.com for

information and pictures from past Art Crawls. The

Pine River Chamber of Commerce receives calls

asking about it every year.

As always we welcome

new artists & crafters

to participate in the

Art Crawl. The entry

fee for this year has

not been determined at

this time. If you or someone you know has an artistic

talent and would like to participate please contact

Sherry or Larry Chapin at 218-587-5075 or 218-

831-6701 or 763-245-2272 or lands1@tds.net for

artist information and registration form.

New this yearNew this yearNew this yearNew this year - we are exploring the idea of

expanding the Art Crawl to be an art event along the

length of Highway 84, which begins in Pine River and

ends north of Longville at Hwy. 200. The proposed

name for this event is “Arts Off 84”. We have met

with the Pine River Chamber of Commerce and the

Longville Arts Alliance. Both groups are very

excited about the idea and have pledged their

support to help get it going. Watch for updates

regarding this event.

This event is not sponsored or financed by Ada

Lake Association. We are a group of Lake Ada

residents interested in providing an art presence in

the area.

An Editorial:

Budget's Tapping of Water Recreation Account is Unprecedented

The Governor's office is seeking to remove dedicated funds from the Water Recreation Account for use in the general fund. This measure would take away funding from the intended water resource uses outlined in the Water Recreation Program report. Minnesotans have advocated for these dedicated funds to provide long term support for our state's water resources and recreation opportunities. Funding for Minnesota's most precious resource, our waters, is already underfunded. This action could set a dangerous precedent for years to come.

Governor Pawlenty's supplemental budget calls for $1.2 million to be taken from the state's Water Recreation Account - funds generated by boat registration and other boater fees - and put in the general fund. Contact Governor Tim Pawlenty's Office and Bob Meier, DNR Asst. Commissioner, Policy & Government Relations to let them know the Water Recreation Account funds should be used for their intended purpose only: to preserve Minnesota's water recreation opportunities on healthy lakes and rivers.

Minnesota Eurasian Watermilfoil Update As of 1/1/10 the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources listed 232 Minnesota waterbodies infested with Eurasian watermilfoil. At this time last year the number was 219, with 197 in 2008. Clean your boat and trailer before launching and encourage others to do the same!

How many loons are in Cass County? While it’s not possible to know the exact number, Katie Haws, DNR Nongame Wildlife Specialist for Region 1, speculates that Cass County has at least 1100 loon pairs, but probably as many as 2000 pairs based on index surveys in this region through the Minnesota Loon Monitoring Project (MLMP). Forty-eight (48) volunteer observers in the DNR Loon Watcher Program reported 74 nesting pairs of loons, 189 adults and 71 chicks in Cass County during the one-day 2009 Minnesota Volunteer Loon survey. The highest number of nesting pairs were reported on Little Boy and Washburn Lake, both with six nests, followed by Lakes Hattie, Ada, and Thunder, all with five nesting pairs. Statewide, the MLMP data shows that loon populations in Minnesota are fairly stable. The most recent statewide loon survey completed in 1989 estimated approximately 12,000 adult loons in the state. If you would like to be a loon watcher, contact Pam Perry, DNR, at (218) 828-2228 or pam.perry@dnr.state.mn.us.

Are bald eagle populations increasing in Minnesota? Statewide there has been an increase in nesting bald eagles from a little over 100 nesting pairs in 1973 to 1,312 nesting pairs in 2005. There was a 28% statewide increase from 2000 to 2005. The greatest increases were observed at the edge of the eagle range in the state, southern and western Minnesota, where they had disappeared over 100 years ago. In the 2005 survey, there were at least 100 nesting pairs of eagles in Cass County. Generally, Beltrami, Cass, and Itasca counties (Chippewa National Forest) are thought to have some of the highest eagle nesting densities in the lower 48 states. The Bald Eagle was re-cently de-listed as a federally threatened species in Minnesota. Currently, the status of the Bald Eagle on the state endangered/threatened species list is “special concern.” The above two articles are reprinted with permission from the Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation, Watershed News, Spring/Summer 2010

Lake Ada Conservation Officer

Poaching of any sort, transporting of aquatic vegetation, use of illegal baits, or any other type of hunting or fishing violation should be reported to a DNR Conservation Officer.

Our Conservation Officer at Lake Ada is Duke Broughten, Longville District, 218-232-7010.

Lake Ada is on the line between conservation districts. We are at the southern limit of the Longville District and just outside the northern limit of the Pine River District.

If you cannot reach Duke Broughten, you can still contact Conservation Officer Nikki Shoutz, Pine River District, 218-692-3456.

You can also call the Minnesota TIP Hotline at 1-800-652-9093.

ADA LAKE ASSOCIATION FINANCIAL STATEMENT December 31, 2009 REVENUES Dues 2009: 1530 Contributions 2009: 5823 Dues 2008: 20 Contributions 2008: 0 Dues 2010: 60 Contributions 2010: 87 INTEREST EARNED Checking Account: 0 CD: 220.63 Money Market: 0.14 OTHER REVENUES Sale of Ada Caps,Shirts,Mugs etc.: 5634.7 Picnic Guests: 64 Contributions: 54 TOTAL REVENUES: 13493.47 EXPENSES DockPost Spring/Summer/Fall: 1950.55 Annual Business Meeting Flyer/Postage: 109.2 DockPost Postage Spring/Summer/Fall: 521.47 MSI ADA Lake Association Insurance: 216 MNWaters Membership: 250 ACCL Membership: 100 Purchase of Ada Caps,Shirts,Mugs etc.: 3735.94 Officers Expense: 118.23 Marker buoys: 132.8 Membership Meeting & Picnic: 664.41 Sale of Picnic Items: -15 First Alert: 750 TOTAL EXPENSES: 8533.6 CASH BALANCES Checking Account: 5911 Money Market: 9739 CD: 0 TOTAL: 15650 RESERVE FUNDS Less Fish Habitat Fund: 575 Less Environmental Reserve Fund: 5000 TOTAL RESERVE FUNDS: 5575 NET CASH AVAILABLE: 10075 2009 Statement Notes: 153 Current Members + 6 Pre-paid

Ada Lake Association Mission Statement

The mission of the Ada Lake Association shall be to maintain or improve the living, recreational, environmental, and ecological conditions of the

Ada Lake area.

Statement of Purpose The purpose of the Association is to accomplish the organization's

mission through a spirit of stewardship among property owners within the Ada Lake watershed.

Lake Home for Sale 140 ft of shoreline, 1.5 acres

East side of Lake Ada Just south of Old Point Comfort

Joe 515-577-6487

Signs, signs, everywhere a sign…

Our Minnesota north country is a pristine place, a place where local residents are very fortunate to live in, and a place where the

rest of us get to visit once in a while.

One item that takes away from the pristine is a road sign.

Some signs we need; for information, for safety.

Advertising signs do not fit these needs, and are oftentimes illegally placed.

Let’s keep nature as unspoiled as we can.

Editor Tom

2010 Ice-out: April 2 2009 Ice-out was April 23 – 3 weeks later!

LAKE ADALAKE ADALAKE ADALAKE ADA

A poem by Glen HinesA poem by Glen HinesA poem by Glen HinesA poem by Glen Hines

For a lake, Ada For a lake, Ada For a lake, Ada For a lake, Ada is such a common name,is such a common name,is such a common name,is such a common name,

Did you wonder whence it came?Did you wonder whence it came?Did you wonder whence it came?Did you wonder whence it came?

According to legend,According to legend,According to legend,According to legend,

Ada was an Indian princessAda was an Indian princessAda was an Indian princessAda was an Indian princess

Who met her demise as a beautiful miss.Who met her demise as a beautiful miss.Who met her demise as a beautiful miss.Who met her demise as a beautiful miss.

A burial place befitting her beauty,A burial place befitting her beauty,A burial place befitting her beauty,A burial place befitting her beauty,

In those days was the Red Man’s duty.In those days was the Red Man’s duty.In those days was the Red Man’s duty.In those days was the Red Man’s duty.

And so on those many moons of yoreAnd so on those many moons of yoreAnd so on those many moons of yoreAnd so on those many moons of yore

She She She She was buried on Lake Ada’s shore.was buried on Lake Ada’s shore.was buried on Lake Ada’s shore.was buried on Lake Ada’s shore.

Glen Hines operated Ada Pine Beach Resort Glen Hines operated Ada Pine Beach Resort Glen Hines operated Ada Pine Beach Resort Glen Hines operated Ada Pine Beach Resort

from 1947 to 1971from 1947 to 1971from 1947 to 1971from 1947 to 1971

Ada Lake Association Board of Directors

Name Office Kathleen Benz President Doug Dagenais VP Paul Bork Treasurer Joan Olson Secretary Jon Hansen Ex. Director Al Anderson Director Keith Benjamin Director Stan Bormann Director David Cater Director David Heegaard Director Laura LaBerge Director Phil Lilja Director Doris Montgomery Director Jim Olson Director John Olson Director David Sohn Director Merle Weaver Director &

Township Rep

It’s time to change to your summer clothes. And that means:

AdaWear! Contact Doris Montgomery at pdmonty@tds.net or at 218-947-3217

lake

Ada