News from the Board of the
Lake Shamineau Lake Improvement District
As a subscriber, you are receiving an edition of the Electronic Newsletter for the Lake Shamineau Lake Improvement District (LSLID). The LSLID Board of Directors issues the monthly newsletter to provide updates on LSLID activities. Check out our website for detailed information, announcements and documents.
Message to Subscribers

To Lake Shamineau Property Owners, Neighbors and Friends:

We hope that this newsletter finds you healthy and safe. The LID Board has been working diligently to move forward on a high water solution. See below for an update on project activities, engineering tasks and project detail.

This newsletter includes an article on lake elevation information that shows that the lake has risen about 7 feet since 1965. In addition, there are updates on the LID meeting schedule, grants, floodplain and shoreland ordinance information, and other relevant topics. In the next few weeks, look for a letter providing updates to all property owners that will be sent via US Mail .
Update on High-Water
Outlet Project
The LID Board is in the process of obtaining easements and approvals for the flowage route. This has required many meetings with these landowners to discuss how their land will be affected and to accommodate their requirements. The focus has been on Morrison County and Todd County property owners to the west of Highway 10 and we are pleased to announce that we have signed agreements from a majority of the property owners between Highway 10 and Todd County Ditch 41.

The next step will be to submit documentation to Todd County to seek approval for the use of Todd County Ditch 41.

In addition to working with property owners, the following tasks have been completed over the last couple of months:
  • Houston Engineering has completed field work for the required wetland delineation.
  • LID Board members provided an update to Fawn Lake Township Supervisors and they have corresponded with Todd County to provide project information.
  • Members of the LID Board and the Administrator have met regularly with the local DNR officials to provide updates, to seek input and to inquire on technical issues.
  • Soil borings, surveys, preliminary planning and other tasks are in process by Houston Engineering as noted in the next article.
Engineering Tasks

In August and September 2020, initial tasks were completed by Houston Engineering to review route alternatives, conduct an initial field survey and to provide outreach to landowners, agencies and the public.

Houston Engineering recently completed Task 2A which included field survey for a Wetland Delineation, outreach with landowners to determine design details for each property, and value engineering to determine project cost savings.

At the recent LID Board Meeting, an agreement with Houston Engineering was approved for the next steps. This agreement, called Task 2B, includes the following:
  • Conduct preliminary survey
  • Conduct Geotechnical evaluation
  • Conduct electrical supply design and coordination
  • Develop preliminary planset (30% level construction plans) which will include the design of key project features including hydraulic features
  • Prepare a draft operations plan and hold preliminary meetings with agencies for permitting
  • Assist with preparation of documentation for the Todd County petition process, attend meetings as needed
  • Right of Way (ROW) descriptions and process
  • Outreach with landowners, agencies and the public
  • Provide project management for engineering tasks

The services for Task 2B will be billed at 2020 rates. It is anticipated that these services will be completed by March 15, 2021. The engineering costs will be matched by the DNR grant up to a maximum of $52,000. Information on the Houston agreement and an updated project schedule is located on the website.
Floodplain Information

On October 29th, an online informational floodplain meeting was held. A floodplain is defined as an area determined to be at risk of some level of possible flooding. The session was hosted by the LID and Morrison County. Ceil Strauss, MN DNR and Amy Kowalzek, Morrison County presented the information to Lake Shamineau property owners. The overheads and information that they presented can be found on the LSLID web site under LSLID reports and minutes. 

During the meeting they provided an estimated timeline for providing the new FEMA floodplain maps for Lake Shamineau:

Jan 2021- Preliminary new Morrison Countywide maps
Feb/March 2021- Community Outreach; Local official meeting
Feb/March 2021 - Public Open House will be held
April to June 2021- 90 day appeal process
Spring 2022 - Letter of Final Determination (LFD)
3 months after LFD - New Map with FAQs, training for local officials
6 months after LFD (Late 2022) - Maps become effective

The county is taking the lead on the process of flood plain mapping and working with individuals as this process moves forward. If anyone has any questions please contact Amy Kowalzek at Morrison County. The LID Board will keep property owners up to date on any information received regarding the floodplain mapping.

Shoreland Ordinance

On October 27, the Morrison County Board of Commissioners extended the sunset date of the Lake Shamineau and Crookneck Lake Flood Protection Ordinance to December 31, 2021. As explained by the County, the extension will give property owners another construction season to undertake projects to elevate their structure to above the base flood elevation that will be effective with the floodplain mapping. This will assist with the decision on whether or not property owners will need flood insurance. The Ordinance also details the ability to allow for floodproofing on principal structures to prevent lake water infiltration that affects structural integrity. Anyone wishing to make use of the ordinance must first obtain a land use permit for their activities and complete the work by the ordinance sunset date. Contact Amy Kowalzek at Morrison County for further information.
Board Meeting Schedule

At a recent LID Board meeting on December 29, 2020, the Board approved a meeting schedule for regularly scheduled Board meetings for Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall for 2021. It was noted that the meeting on December 29th was designated as the Winter meeting. The other meetings are scheduled as follows:

  • Spring - April 6, 1:00 PM
  • Summer - June 22, 6 PM
  • Annual Meeting - August 28, Time TBD
  • Fall - September, Date and Time TBD

The schedule for regularly scheduled board meetings and any other special meetings are pre-announced on the LID website. Unless otherwise noted, all meetings will be held through an online conference tool. To join a scheduled online meeting, send an email to Fred Comb at: fred@homeinspectionsofmn.com
Other Meetings

Following are other LID meetings and communication activities coming up over the next several months:
  • A letter will be mailed to all property owners in the next few weeks to provide an update on the High-Water project and other activities.
  • In June, a letter will be mailed to property owners advising them that nominations are open for 2 Director seats.
  • An informational meeting or public hearing on the high-water project will be held in spring or early summer.
  • Nominations for the Board of Directors will be due in July.
  • At the end of July or early August, a letter will be mailed to property owners advising them of the Annual Meeting.
  • The Annual Meeting will be held on August 28th.
Grant Updates

The LID has entered into an agreement with the DNR effective November 9, 2020 for $52,000. The DNR grant funds will be used to offset costs for the Houston Engineering services.

The LID has received notice from Pat Lynch at the DNR that the funding amount that has been received is lower than requested for flood hazard mitigation grants in the 2020 bonding bill. At the level that they requested of the governor and legislature ($20 million), they had planned to commit $1 million toward lake outlet projects. Since the program funding received from the bonding bill was reduced to $15 million, they unfortunately are unable to provide additional funding to the Lake Shamineau project at this time.
We appreciate all the efforts of our property owners in contacting legislators and attending the hearing to show support.


Members of the LID Board and the LID Administrator recently met with the Corp of Engineers (COE) regarding possible grant funding
through the Continuing Authorities Program (CAP). We learned that Section 205 of the Flood Control Act of 1948, as amended, provides authority for the Corp to assist in the protection from flooding. The LID Board Chair submitted a letter of interest to the COE. It is anticipated that more information will be received from the COE in the coming months.

Additional research is in process to determine if there are other grant or assistance programs available for the High-Water Project.
Updates from the Board of Directors
Elevation Information

A summary chart of lake elevation readings using data from the MN DNR website has been developed. This data shows that since 1965 the lake has risen about 7 feet. In addition, since the first approved vote on the High-Water project in 2017, the water has risen from 1.18 above the Ordinary High Water Level (OHW) to the highest recorded level of 2.98 in May 2020. The most current official DNR reading of 2.42 above the OHW was taken Sept 20, 2020. The OHW for Lake Shamineau is 1275.10. The chart is above and available on the website.

Letters of Support

We have recently received letters of support for the high-water project from agencies and individuals including the local DNR and Morrison County Commissioner LeMieur. In addition, we are in process of gathering letters of support from the property owners along the route.

High-Water Information

A High-Water Information sheet has recently been developed to provide an overview on the flooding problem and proposed solution. The information sheet is available on the website.

Website Information

Be sure to visit the LID website for the following information:
  • Treasurer's Reports and the Annual Report, ending December 31, 2020.
  • Houston Engineering Agreement Task List, Summary of Delivered Services, and Project Schedule
  • LID Board Meeting Schedule and agendas
  • High-Water Project Information Sheet and Elevation Chart.
  • There are many other documents and information available that you might find of interest.
A Message from the LID Board
The LID Board of Directors and the LID Administrator are continuing to work on the very important High-Water Outlet tasks with the goal to begin construction in 2021. We will keep you up to date with postings to the website, newsletters, and letters to property owners.

If you know of someone that would like to be added to our newsletter subscriber list, have them send a text to 22828 with the message LAKESHAMINEAU or send an email to LSLIDBD@gmail.com. You may want to add this email address to your white list to ensure that you will receive future newsletters.

Continue to let us know your comments and questions. We welcome your input.

Rick Rosar, Bob Koll, Fred Comb, Ardis Sandstrom, and Tim Rice
Lake Shamineau Improvement District Board of Directors

Cindy Kevern
LID Administrator and Newsletter Editor