NEWS
Starry Stonewort – Invasive Species Identified in Middle Cullen
GCOLA Members:
An aquatic invasive species, starry stonewort, has been identified in Middle Cullen Lake recently. Water from Middle Cullen flows into Lower Cullen and eventually into Nisswa Lake. Crow Wing County has moved Lower Cullen from low risk to high risk. They along with the DNR are planning for heavy monitoring of the Lower Cullen ramp including the presence of a boat decontamination unit. Crow Wing County, the DNR and the Cullen Lake Association are in the initial stages of evaluating treatment options, and GCOLA is offering the support of our association in an effort to keep Starry Stonewort from spreading into the Gull Lake Chain.
Starry stonewort is a bushy, bright green macro-algae
that produces a star shaped bulbils, as shown in this
DNR photo. It is a prohibited invasive species in
Minnesota that can form dense mats and out-compete
native plants. The thick mats of starry stonewort hinder,
and sometimes prohibit, many of the desired recreational
uses of our beautiful lakes.
What can you do?
People spread starry stonewort primarily through the movement of water-related equipment. Fragments can get tangled in trailers, motors, anchors and inside watercrafts (boats, canoes and kayaks). Small bulbils, which may be hidden in mud and debris, can stick to trailer bunks, anchors, ropes, fabric, footwear, as well as scuba, fishing and hunting gear. A small fragment or bulbil can start a new population.
Whether or not a lake is listed as infested, Minnesota law requires water recreationists to:
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Clean watercraft of all aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
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Drain all water by removing drain plugs and keeping them out during transport.
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Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
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Dry docks, lifts, swim rafts and other equipment for at least 21 days before placing equipment into another water body.
Report new occurrences of starry stonewort to the DNR immediately by contacting your DNR Invasive Species Specialist or log in and submit a report through EDDMapS (opens in a new browser tab).
Brainerd DNR office phone number: 218-203-4300
Rainfall monitoring network seeks volunteers
DNR News Release - March 1, 2024
Participants provide important data about precipitation, climate trends
The Minnesota State Climatology Office is seeking rainfall monitors for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. The network includes more than 20,000 volunteers nationwide who measure precipitation in their backyards using a standard 4-inch diameter rain gauge.
Participants submit their precipitation reports online. The data from backyard rain gauges are a critical source of information and it’s beneficial to add more volunteer weather observers each year, even in areas where there are already volunteers.
“Rainfall and snowfall amounts can vary widely over a short distance, so a variety of reports is helpful in the same community or area,” State Climatologist Luigi Romolo said. “We have some areas in greater Minnesota that have very few reporting stations. The more we have across the state, the better information we all have.”
“Over time, as more volunteer reports make our precipitation maps more accurate, these observations provide critical guidance on Minnesota’s changing climate,” Romolo added. “This is also a great educational activity for families with kids and a rewarding hobby for anyone interested in weather or climate.”
Volunteers are particularly needed outside the immediate Twin Cities metro area. Volunteers receive training on how to observe weather trends and how to submit their precipitation and weather event reports. All training material is available online. Participants must purchase or provide a standard 4-inch diameter rain gauge (available at discount through CoCoRaHS) and have internet access to submit reports.
For the past four years, Minnesota has won the “CoCoRaHS Cup” for recruiting the most new volunteers of any state. “We’re hoping Minnesotans will again come through in 2024 to keep the cup in Minnesota and, more important of course, to improve our state’s precipitation recording,” Romolo said.
To sign up or for more information, visit CoCoRaHS.org or contact Luigi Romolo at luigi.romolo@state.mn.us.
End of MnDNR News Release
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Note from GCOLA website manager Dave Anderson:
Watch for an article about CoCoRaHS in the GCOLA Spring News Magazine. You can also contact Dave Anderson if you have questions about CoCoRaHS at dla920@charter.net.
Crow Wing County - Now hiring for Seasonal Watercraft Inspectors
For more information and to apply: visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/crowwingmn/jobs/4380959/seasonal-watercraft-inspector?page=2&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
The "Loon Lady" featured on KSTP-TV
Sheila Johnston is well known as the "Loon Lady" on the Gull Lake Chain. She is a tireless advocate for our state bird. Be sure to watch the interview that aired on KSTP-TV.
Click here to access the video and several useful links about protecting loons.
Updates from The St. Anthony Falls Research Center
Click on link below to read the update from SAFL's Healthy Waters Initiative
Healthy Waters Initiative Update - November 2023
Watch WCCO and CBS Video on GCOLA’s Lake Steward Program!
By Bailey Rieger-Borer and Aki Nace
Kris Driessen, Sheila Johnston and Dorothy Whitmer - Lake Steward Committee
Click the link below to view the video and to read the article.:
state-of-water-restoring-lake-shores (Video begins right after the ad)
Stay informed with news releases from the Minnesota DNR
The detailed reports can be found at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/news
