Pine-Cedar Lakes
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Preserving and Restoring Natural Lakeshores in Minnesota
Check out MPR's series on Preserving and Restoring Natural Lakeshores in Minnesota:
Trouble by the water: Minnesota's vanishing natural lakeshores | MPR News
Zebra Mussels confirmed in Cedar Lake, Morrison County
Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:
- Clean watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
- Drain all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
- Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
- Never release bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
- Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days before moving them from one water body to another.
These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:
- Decontaminate watercraft and equipment – find free stations on the courtesy decontamination page of the DNR website.
- Spray watercraft and equipment with high-pressure water or rinse with water if high-pressure water is not available.
- Dry watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another water body.
Sunday, August 4, 2024
Annual Meeting 2024
Shoreline Stabilization and Restoration
Friday, June 21, 2024
Sunday, February 11, 2024
DATE CHANGE: Pine-Cedar Lakes Association Annual Meeting, August 3, 2024!
DATE CHANGE: Pine-Cedar Lakes Association Annual Meeting
will be on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 8:30 am at Eagles Nest,
Camp Lebanon
Culvert Update
Culvert Update:
At the 2023 Pine Cedar Lakes Association annual meeting, a review was done of the status of the culvert on the south end of Pine Lake. It was determined there had been a culvert present, but it was broken and clogged. The next step was for the township board to submit an application to the Morrison County Soil and Water Conservation District requesting replacement of the culvert. If it was approved, then a new culvert would be inserted based on DNR and soil/water specifications.
This
application was submitted. It was subsequently rejected for being incomplete.
To move forward, would require a set of engineering plans.
"This plan would consist of but is not limited to the size, location, and
elevation of the replacement culvert. The plan would need to be developed by
the Elmdale Township and a licensed engineer to address the culvert placement details."
A discussion with an Elmdale Township board member suggested they do not have the funds to advance this, as it would likely be greater than $10,000 plus the culvert and placement cost. Therefore, the Pine Cedar Lakes Association Board tabled this item for now.
Saturday, July 1, 2023
July 1, 2023, Annual Pine-Cedar Lakes Association Meeting
Pine Cedar Lakes Annual Meeting 2023
To view RMB Lakes Monitoring Database (water testing results):
Environmental Lab | Detroit Lakes, MN | RMB Environmental Laboratories, Inc (rmbel.com)
PRESO: Summary Survey Both Lakes
SURVEY: All Data Compare Lakes
2023 CLP initial results report CEDAR
2023 CLP initial results report PINE
Contact List:
Name |
Responsibility |
Phone |
Email/Internet
Address |
Eric
Altena |
DNR
Fisheries Manager |
320-232-1069 |
|
Mark
Anderson |
DNR
Hydrologist |
320-232-1078 |
|
DNR
LakeFinder |
An online tool that finds and displays detailed information
about most lakes in Minnesota |
|
|
DNR
Parks and Trails |
Contact
for issues at the boat landing |
888-646-6367 |
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/parks_trails/index.html
|
Christine
Jurek |
DNR
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Specialist |
320-233-7847 |
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais/contacts.html
|
Morrison County Sheriff’s Office |
Water Patrol Division |
Non-emergency: 320-632-9233 |
https://www.co.morrison.mn.us/179/Patrol-Division
|
RMB
Labs |
Water
Testing
View
lake monitoring data base |
218-846-1465 |
https://www.rmbel.com/lakes-monitoring-database
|
Nancy
Stewart |
Public Water Access and Fishing Pier Program Coordinator Contact regarding signage at a water access managed by the
DNR
|
651-259-5616 |
nancy.stewart@state.mn.us |
Darrin
Welle |
Morrison
County Land Services, Shoreland
Specialist
Contact
regarding Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program |
320-632-0100 |
|
Shannon
Wettstein |
Morrison
Soil and Water Conservation District, District
Manager |
320-631-3553 |
shannon.wettstein@morrisonswcd.org
|
Thanks, Pine-Cedar Lakes Association Members! We had a great annual meeting today. I will be posting the documents/information from the meeting. As always, reach out with questions or concerns.
Remember--4th of July Boat Parade on Pine Lake, 7/4 at 11 am! Prize awarded for the best-decorated boat!
Have a fun and safe holiday weekend!
Monday, May 29, 2023
Sunday, January 29, 2023
Each year Morrison Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) offers thousands of trees to landowners at inexpensive prices.
Here is the website to learn more: Tree Sales - Morrison Soil and Water (morrisonswcd.org)
Friday, July 29, 2022
Aquatic Invasive Species Inspection Reports, July 2022, from RMB Environmental Laboratories, Inc.
Here are copies of the most recent Aquatic Invasive Species Inspection Reports, July 2022, from RMB Environmental Laboratories, Inc.
Pine: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rfZrQblMhBn_JnR5l-qeblKcl-MH38FA/view?usp=sharing
Cedar: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fOCRFskNyHSpNLZIR1RF5cwvHKxi6DWr/view?usp=sharing
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Naturalizing your shoreline is the most important contribution you can make to enhance water quality, maintain fishery resources, and provide wildlife habitat.
With the elevated water level, a number of lakeshore owners are seeing soil erosion. While we explore avenues to address water levels, there are things we can do to help prevent future erosion while improving the quality of the lake.
1. Riprap: Shoreline Alterations: Riprap (state.mn.us)
2. Soft Armor or natural vegetation buffer: Shoreland Restoration — Whitefish Area Property Owner's Association (wapoa.org)
Do I need a permit? | Minnesota DNR (state.mn.us)
"A healthy shoreland supports a diverse community of fish and wildlife by providing native vegetation that fulfills their habitat needs where land and water meet. Native vegetation provides important water quality functions by slowing and filtering water runoff as it moves to the lake or stream. Shorelines with a diverse mixture of native plants extending inland as well as offshore of the bank are more resilient to wave and ice erosion. Our lakes, streams and wetlands need healthy shorelines to reduce runoff, filter pollutants, and provide important habitat functions that benefit fish and wildlife."
Sunday, May 15, 2022
Due to high water, a No Wake Zone for Pine Lake was posted today 5/15/22
On May 15, 2022, the Morrison County Sheriff's Department posted a 300-foot No Wake from any shoreline on Pine Lake. The sign is posted at the boat landing. The lake level is high and there is erosion occurring on shorelines from the high water and waves.
Pine Lake culvert is open and water is flowing.
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Monday, August 23, 2021
Vegetation Survey for Pine and Cedar Lakes for 2021
The Pine-Cedar Lakes Association received a grant from Morrison County to do a vegetation survey to monitor Curly Leaf Pond (CLP) weed in the lakes. A survey was completed for Pine Lake and Cedar Lake again this year. The survey was done by RMB Labs for the second year. The reports have a section where the vegetation is compared from 2020 to 2021 especially for CLP weeds (Pages 7 and 11). Take a look at the report. It is interesting to know all the good vegetation in the lakes and how it helps to keep the lakes healthy.
Pine Lake Vegetation Survey for 2021
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WDIWU4pgv1085HK-5WDEhq8uRW2OkDmX/view?usp=sharing
Cedar Lake Vegetation Survey for 2021
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tnl4zi0gljbxtskq0VcX8eyfqGDzs6Im/view?usp=sharing
Friday, August 20, 2021
Water clarity this spring, 2021, in Pine Lake
This spring the water clarity in Pine Lake was very poor. When a secchi reading (how far below the surface you can see a standard white disk) was done in May, the reading was 8 feet. This was not typical at all. Usually, in the spring the reading is 20 feet or more. The secchi disk reading improved in coming weeks but still remained below normal. It June and July, the water tests that have been done in the past were done. The traditional tests that have been done since 2008 are Total Phosphorus, Chlorophyll-a, and Secchi reading and are analyzed and reported by RMB Labs (RMB Lakes Database - RMBEL). The Pine-Cedar Lakes Association has done these tests for the recommended 10 years to get a good base. After the 10 year base, the plan is to do them every other year. This year, 2021. was not planned to be a year to take the tests. But because of the abnormal clarity, tests were taken for two months. The following are the results:
Mean- since 2008 TP-- 6/21/2021 TP-- 7/25/2021
Total Phosphorus 14.3 ug/l 15.6 ug/l 10.2 ug/l
Chlorophyll-a 2.8 ug/l 7 ug/l 3 ug/l
Secchi reading 16.6 feet 13 feet N/A
The Secchi reading for 7/25/21 did not make the RMB report. A reading taken later was 14 feet. The Secchi reading has usually been in the 20 foot range in the spring and the mid teen feet level in the late summer. As can be seen by the data, the lake has basically returned to normal with the July reading. The June Chlorophyll-a of 7 ug/l was the highest recorded since the test started in 2008. This test reflects algae in the water.
It is not know what happened in the lake this spring to cause the clarity to change so dramatically. There was probably a bloom of some sort. The weather and water levels were not normal in the spring of 2021. The good news, it has cleared.
It is, however, good to remember that all activity in and around the lake may affect the lake water eventually.
Thursday, May 13, 2021
Due to high water levels a No Wake Zone for Pine Lake effective May 12, 2021
On May 12, 2021 the Morrison County Sheriff's Department posted a 300 foot no wake from any shoreline on Pine Lake. The sign is posted at the boat landing. The lake level continues to be high and there is erosion occurring on shorelines from the high water and waves.
Saturday, May 8, 2021
Pine-Cedar Lakes Board meeting January 6, 2021
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tHPM3iV9fMoGwbgoAfOcDYymimKYRkkT/view?usp=sharing
Thursday, October 29, 2020
Hope everyone is staying safe from the coronavirus and are having a good fall. Looks like winter is trying to come early.
A Pine-Cedar Lake Association Board meeting was held on September 19, 2020. The notes from the meeting are in the attached.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13SgEJIdjblJF40ZFkp9uLLFvmWOMEVr7/view?usp=sharing
Saturday, August 29, 2020
Treasurer's report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2020
The attached is the Treasurer's report for 2019-2020. Since the fiscal year end of June 30, 2020, additional members have joined and there are now 71 members for the Pine-Cedar Lakes Association.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rxv5SpV6CBXE-p7PEw3SoVe4r0UA0i4w/view?usp=sharing
Saturday, July 25, 2020
Thanks to everyone who responded to the Pine-Cedar Lakes Association annual mailing. We were not able to have a face to face meeting but with the response from members we were able to have the association board voting accomplished. The mail in date was closed on July 15, 2020 and the votes were counted. Five people were on the ballot. The top four votes were for Paul Jahnke--Treasurer, Gary Roerick--Vice President, Tom Lind--Director and Barb Skodje-Mack--Director. They were re-elected to the lake association board for a two year term. Thanks to Dave Maty for also running for the board.
Hopefully, we can have a face to face annual meeting next year on Saturday, July 3, 2021.
Stay safe everyone and have a great summer on the lakes.
Monday, July 20, 2020
The average recorded water level is as it sounds, an average of all recorded water level data. The DNR started recording water levels for Pine Lake in 1994 and Cedar Lake in 1998.
The following link are a series of aerial pictures that are referenced in Mark Anderson's comments for the area by the Pine Lake public access.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C2BGxFOa2FLnsASt-4oVEQwHa95LVsAb/view?usp=sharing
The following links are articles from Mark Anderson related to shoreline issues.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Yw7YskwL8b1JmmuqUn6KZrQbFJYNzPrW/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Zo6hxUC_LlOLpe_aYmkEPBEHpuIh0ocL/view?usp=sharing
The following link is a mapping system that can be searched to find the Pine Lake and Cedar Lake areas. It allows you to see elevations. If you scan the map you can look at areas over a large distance.
http://arcgis.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/mntopo/