LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN
STAR LAKE
Dent, MN
2006-2007
I. Introduction:
Star Lake is a 4,721 acre moderately fertile lake located in north central Otter Tail County approximately four miles west of Dent, MN. Star Lake is connected to Dead and Round Lakes via un-navigable streams. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. Extensive marsh areas are located in the south arm and the west arm of the lake. Stands of hard-stem bulrush, wild rice, and common cattail are scattered along the shoreline of the entire lake; however, the largest stands are located in the south arm and the west arm. The maximum depth is 96 feet; however, 59% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. Star lake is classified as a general development lake.
II. Planning Process
Vision: Star Lake is a remarkable gift of created beauty
and natural resource. The Star Lake Property
Owners Association and its board of Directors
Are dedicated to its protection and enhancement
for all citizens who wish to enjoy its benefits in
this generation and for generations to come.
Mission: The Star Lake Property Owners Association and its board of directors are committed to preserving this natural resource to include but not be limited to:
- its excellent water quality
- its bountiful fishery
- its natural wildlife haven
- its orderly and proper development
A. SLPOA Board: 2005-2006 Officers
Glen Shaw- President
Peder Pederson, 1st Vice President
Don Herron, Director and Treasurer
Barb Eckert, Director and Secretary
Mary DuChaarme, Director
Noah Riley, Director
Gary Sheldon, Director
Mike Hagen, Director
Milt Lorenz, Director
B. Committees/Functions/Focus Areas for 2004-2005
Adopt a Highway: (Barb Eckert,) spring and fall clean up of Co. #41
Right-Of-Way from St. Hwy 108 to 390th Street. Coordination with
County on Adopt-A-Highway program.
Annual Meeting and Picnic: (Don Herron)Recommend annual meeting
date, location, menu, and logistics. Back up location in case of
rain. Coordination with meal caterer. General oversight of “Annual
Meeting Checklist”.
Audit Committee: () Annually review the financial
records of the Association and report results to the board of
directors and membership (comprised of non-board members)
Communications: (Barb Eckert) Correspondence/
newsletters/meeting notices to membership. Solicitation letters to
non-members. Mailing list maintenance. SLPOA web site
administration.
Finance/Treasurer: (Don Herron) Development of annual budget
recommendations. Monitoring and reporting of revenue and
expense trends. Maintain record of current paid members
(voting and associate) and coordinate with secretary on
membership mailing list.
Fisheries Management: (Milt Lorenz)Coordination with DNR on all
issues relating to Star Lake fishery including stocking, public
access habitat, vegetation, regulatory enforcement, etc. Similar
coordination with other state agencies or county departments
having authority over resources affecting fish and wildlife habitat.
Coordinate with DNR on plans to improve public access.
Lake protection and Preservation: (Glen Shaw) Work with OTC to revise
Shoreland Management Ordinance to implement Special
Protection Districts and other related changes. Establish
communications and working relationships with public officials
and policy makers. Objective will be to work within the “process”
to effect long term changes to protect and preserve the qualities
of Star Lake.
Membership Development: (Mike Hagen) Develop and implement
strategies to attract new members (and retain existing members)
to the SLPOA.
Nominating Committee: () Seek nominees
for board of director elections, place names in nomination and
serve as election committee at the annual meeting. (comprised
of non-board members)
Water Safety:(Peder Pederson) Marker buoy maintenance and
placement under license from the OTC Sheriff’s Dept. Primary
contact with Sheriff’s department, DNR, and other authorities
on other lake safety issues.
Water Quality/Testing/Lake Management Plan: (Gary Sheldon) Conduct
testing, record keeping and report results as a participating lake
in the Citizens Lake Monitoring program to the state PCA and in
partnership with COLA water testing program. Develop a Lake
Management Plan in the MLA format. Serve as SLPOA rep
to COLA and MLA.
Lake Improvement District: The board is studying the concept of
petitioning the county for LID certification that would allow the Star
Lake board to assess residents a certain mil levy that would be
used for special projects that might be necessary to maintain
water quality.
III. Factors Influencing Lake Management
A. Regional Patterns
Star Lake is located in the North Central Hardwood Forests region...etc...
B. Star Lake Watershed
1. Size
2. Hydrology
3. Precipitation
4. Soils
5. Land Use
C. Lake Monitoring History
Star lake has lake-monitoring data since May of 1996. Star Lake participates both in the volunteer lake monitoring program of Minnesota PCA and in water quality testing through the RMB Lab in Detroit Lakes.
1. Sampling procedure:
a. The volunteer lake monitoring program through PCA utilizes the Secchi disc measurement process for lake water clarity. A white metal disc, eight inches in diameter is lowered into the water at the specific test sites until it can no longer be seen with a naked eye. The depth is noted and cataloged. This process is repeated weekly. In addition to the depth data, observations are made concerning the weather, wave action, and recreation suitability of the lake and time of day. All measurements are to be taken between 10am and 2pm. At years end, all data is sent to the state PCA office where it is processed and printed in an annual report which includes all lakes in the volunteer monitoring program.
b. Once a month for the five months beginning May through September, a water sample is drawn from a specific site utilizing a standardized procedure. The first sample is mixed with hydrochloric acid and the second is left as it is drawn. The acid mixed sample is used to test for levels of phosphorus and the other is tested for levels of chlorophyll A. In addition, a seechi disc reading is taken. Test results are factored into a scale known as a TSI index...Trophic State Index, a number from 0-100. The lower the TSI, the better the lake chemistry. These data are compiled on the web site of the RMB Lab.
2. Sampling sites.
Four sites are identified as secchi disc testing sites and one of these is used for taking the water sample for testing. The following sites are used
a. Site “A” -#201 is located in the middle of the lake, roughly 1/3 of the way west of the large island toward camp aquilla in approximately 85 feet of water. This is the site used for both secchi readings and in taking the monthly water sample.
b. Site “B”-#204 is located SE of the big island in 73’ of water. This site is used for secchi readings only.
c. Site “D”-202 is located in the west arm, in the middle of the lake due south of Frank’s Resort in 85’ of water. This site is used for the secchi reading only.
d. Site “E”-203 is located in the north arm, northeast
of the galaxy Resort in 96’ of water. This site is used for the secchi reading only.
e. Additional sites are sampled should there appear to be a water quality issue that needs addressing.
3. Sampling data
(See addendum “A” for data or check: www.rmbel.info/reports.asp )
D. Lake Information Report
(See addendum “B” for most recent DNR survey or contact:
www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind and type in Star Lake of Ottertail County in the search area.
IV. Lake Management Focus Areas
A. Water quality
B. Fisheries
C. Aquatic Vegetation
D. Wildlife
E. Exotic species control
F. Land use/zoning
G. Managing surface water conflicts
H. Water accesses
VI. References/Resources
V. Conclusions: