We hope this newsletter finds you all healthy and safe, and you are enjoying your summer. We continue to be concerned for high waters and our flooded neighbors. The current lake level reading is 2.64 feet above the Ordinary High Water Level (OHWL), as compared to a reading of about 2 feet above OHWL in June 2019. We know that many of the properties around the lake have water in or surrounding their homes and many properties adjacent to the lake area are experiencing wet conditions.

Please know that the LID Board of Directors continue to work long hours to determine a solution. We have recently sent out information to all property owners with LID news and updates on the High-Water Project. The LID Board of Directors are working on a West Outlet project that, if approved, could be constructed as early as 2021, and will reduce the water level down to the Ordinary High Water Level over an approximately 3 year period. See below for detail information.

Be assured that the Board is working hard to seek permissions from landowners along the route. Please also note that bonding will not occur for the Vote 4 amount until the project is shovel-ready with the required permits and approvals. The applicable charges for Vote 4 will not begin until 2022.

On June 1, the LSLID Board approved action to alter the High-Water Outlet project away from infiltration in the NE part of the lake and on June 25, there was a decision to begin a West Outlet project utilizing a newly cleaned ditch to Fish Trap Creek.

The LSLID Board recently held an online information session on August 6th to discuss the West Outlet project. Mike Opat, from Houston Engineering provided a presentation on the project including capacity analysis, project features, estimated costs, project status and next steps. The LID Board also noted that they are in contact with landowners along the West Outlet route to gain support and signed Letters of Intent as soon as possible. The Houston presentation, the LID presentation and a recording of the meeting can be found on the LID website.

Houston Engineering has also recently completed a Lake Shamineau Concept Report on the West Outlet project which includes: Project Description, Recommended Solutions, Compatibility with Existing Plans, Evaluation of Social Economic and Environmental Impact and a Potential Project Schedule. The Concept Report is located on the website.

Attached to the August 6th Agenda on the website is a chart of Project Tasks, Timeline, and Costs (see next article for a picture of the chart). Following are the project tasks:

Following is a schedule of meetings and activities for the LID over the next several months.

In 2020, the LSLID received the (AIS) Partnership Grant from Morrison County, which assists for offsetting costs for: surveying vegetation to locate AIS; to fund repairs for flooded signage; and to provide chemical and scuba diver treatment, of Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM).

The AIS program for Lake Shamineau has been very successful in controlling Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM). In a recent lake survey, only one plant was found on the South side of the lake. No EWM plants were found at the west end of the lake. Scuba Divers will be at the lake in the coming weeks to thoroughly go over the areas that had been previously treated and pulled. Recent surveys of the lake for zebra mussels have not shown any indication of this invasive species. Thanks to the ambassadors at the East Landing for their work to educate boaters about invasive species, and the requirements for draining and cleaning boats and trailers!