What a year this has been when it comes to the weather. We have had a taste of all that Mother Nature has to offer. Spring was cool and wet and summer has been hot and stormy. We can only imagine what fall and winter will be. One positive that has come out of the unpredictable weather this year is the water quality in Green Lake this season. The cool and wet spring along with the water level being up appears to have had a positive effect on invasive weed growth. Outside of the south end of the lake which is always problematic the main body of Big and Little Green has seen minimal Milfoil and Curly Leaf growth. Algae bloom is also way down to this point. The GLA treated forty eight acres in the south bay Aug 8th for Milfoil (see map). This treatment was done later in the season than usual because of the weather and the state shutdown. We have always known in our treatment strategy that nature plays a large part in the equation. Some seasons have heavier weed growth than others but we must remember that invasive weeds will not just go away on their own. Annual treatments must continue till there is a viable cure for this problem. Green Lake has had invasive species for many years but we have been lucky to maintain a water quality that makes Green one of the best recreational lakes in the area. This is due in part to the work the Green Lake Association has done over the years. Support your lake association any way you can especially by volunteering. This is a prelude into the part of this article that is a bit emotional for me.
This will be my last article as president of the Green Lake Association. In the past six years as president I have learned a lot about invasive species and our lake. I have also met many good people and made new friends. I personally want to thank everyone who has been involved in the GLA during my tenure and all of those who have supported the association over the years. The lake association is a community effort and can not exist without volunteers and supporters. It is time to pass the torch to new leadership to carry on the work the GLA has done for over a decade. This association is a valuable asset to the property owners on Green Lake and should be recognized as such. The GLA annual meeting will be Thu Sept 29th, 7PM at the Chisago Community Center. This meeting is open to the public to voice their opinions and offer ideas to the lake association. It is also the time that current or perspective board members are voted in for another term. Please support the GLA by attending this meeting. The association needs volunteers to support any new board members voted in at the annual meeting. Keep your lake association alive by stepping forward. Again thank you to all who have worked with me over the years. I could not have headed this organization without you.
Dan Standish
Green Lake Association President