SAVE THE DATE! Wright County Coalition of Lakes Spring Meeting Saturday, May 3rd 9-11am Robert Ney Memorial Park Reserve, Maple Lake
Topics will include the Wright County low cost watercraft cleaning stations, updates on the Boater’s Required Education and Certification, and lots of other lake news. Watch your email for more information.
The meeting is free, no registration required and all are welcome!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Low Cost Watercraft Cleaning Stations Available in Wright County
Wright County COLA and Wright County Soil and Water have partnered to provide a low cost watercraft cleaning station for Wright County lakes. The project was piloted in 2024 and five stations were installed: Bass, Beebe, John, Ida, and Howard.

The cost to lake associations is $150 per station. The goal is to install a total of 30 stations in Wright County.
This is a great, practical tool to help reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species. Get one for for your lake access!
Contact Alicia O’Hare at Wright County Soil and Water alicia.ohare@mn.nacdnet.net | 763-614-2919 for more information.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wright County Soil and Water Aquatic Invasive Species Grants Now Open | Apply by April 1, 2025
Grant funding is available for lake groups that treat AIS populations in Wright County lakes. The grants help fund surveys up to $1,000 and up to $3,000 of treatment with a 50% match. Requests for proposals are open until April 1, 2025
Click here for more information and application.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Be Nice to the Ice! Keep it Clean!

Ice fishing is in full swing this winter! The Keep It Clean campaign addresses the growing problem of garbage and waste left on the ice by anglers, campers and recreationists through education, legislation and enforcement. The Keep It Clean law (passed in 2023) makes it illegal to place garbage and waste on or under the ice on Minnesota’s lakes and rivers.
- Watch and share Ron Schara’s Keep It Clean Youtube Video.
- Order some of the cool Keep It Clean-branded promotional materials and/or consider setting up their innovative geofencing technology (where people can receive a Keep It Clean popup ad on their cell phones and other devices once they arrive on your lake).
- Click here for a recent legislative update on this program.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________


The Minnesota Coalition of Lake Associations has a fantastic resource to explain priorities for protecting our public waters: water quality, aquatic invasive species, and enhanced wake activity. It is great for discussions with government officials, and education for new board members and lake residents.
One page summary of priorities
Presentation slides and references
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Time to pay 2025 WCCOLA Dues! Still only $25/year
Wright County Coalition of Lake Associations appreciates your support! And it is time to pay 2025 dues! Click here for a membership form.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Engaging with University of Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center
Wright County COLA has a close relationship with the University of Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center. We have two projects with them:
Spiny Water Flea Hunt | Curt Forst, WCCOLA President, led the hunt on Cedar Lake and Howard Lake. Good news–none of the invasive species were found. Click here for more details about the hunt.
Zebra Mussel Safari | David Glass, Cedar Lake Conservation Club, worked with a research scientist over the summer. The goal is to understand the how and why of the shifts in zebra mussel density, abundance, and distribution within a lake.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Starry Stonewort: A formidable foe
Starry stonewort is one of the newer aquatic invaders–particularly fearsome due to its aggressive nature and ability to mat and interfere with habitat and recreation. Here are a couple of great videos to provide more information:
Overview of Starry Stonewort from U of Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center
4 Minute Video on How to Identify Starry Stonewort
______________________________________________________________________________
Wright County Coalition of Lake Associations Directory
Want to connect with other lakes in your area? A Wright County directory of lakes is available. Please email Kathy Jonsrud at kjonsrud@yahoo.com and a copy will be mailed to you.