In This Issue

wavesNewsletter of the Lake Washington Improvement Association

01

The President’s Note

Lakers: The Leifermans

Ice

The Lake Washington Waves is published by the Lake Washington Improvement Association, PO Box 3162 • Mankato MN • 56002.3162

LWIA History

LWIA Waves I Winter--Spring 2021

Need an investment? Clean our lake.

Researchers from Michigan State and Texas A&M Universities

summarized the results of 43 studies on the relationship

between lake water clarity and lakeshore property values. The

message was clear: the cleaner the water, the greater the

property value. For example, a 1992 study of northern Minnesota

lakes found that each additional foot of water clarity added

$3,384 to the price of a lake lot That’s $6,672 when adjusted for

inflation. A similar study in Wisconsin demonstrated a one-foot

improvement in clarity was associated with a $5,207 increase in

the price of the average property. This is equivalent to $7,598

today. More striking, researchers studying Ohio lakes found that

toxic blue-green algae blooms (a bacterial problem that can make

people and animals sick) reduced the value of lakefront property

by up to 22%. This means, if Lake Washington suffers a blue-

green algae bloom, the typical homeowner would have to take

$75,000 off the price of his/her house to sell the property.

Here is the good news from the studies: If we can improve

water clarity by 2 feet, the average lake home will increase in

value by $14,000. Cleaning Lake Washington will not be cheap,

but it could be a good investment.

For more details see Nicholls, S. and Crompton, J. (2018). A comprehensive

review of the evidence of the impact of surface water quality on property

values. Sustainability, 10, 500. doi:10.3390/su10020500

Water Quality Assessment

Events

Invasive Species

Take A Kid Fishing

President’s Note

LWIA Waves I Winter--Spring 2021

Take The No-Fertilizer Challenge

Lake Washington was GREEN last year! One thing you can do to reduce the algae problem is to take the NO LAWN FERTILIZER CHALLENGE in 2021 and 2022 and then see if we have clearer water in 2023.

The mission statement for the Lake Washington Improvement Association (LWIA) is as follows:

“The purpose of the Associat ion shal l be to create and/or maintain a Lake Washington environment to the

advantage of Associat ion members, lake res idents, and users of the lake through advocacy, educat ion, and stewardship,”

It is noteworthy that the statement specifically acknowledges the importance of maintaining the environment to the advantage of all lake users.

In the 25 years since the statement was established, there have been many changes. For example, the LWIA has learned a great deal about how our choices affect our environment. We know not to use lead shot when hunting. We know the importance of cleaning boats when leaving the lake to prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). We know more about lake water chemistryand we regularly use terms like “total phosphorus load” and “total chlorophyll” and “AIS.” Thanks to the internet, we are now able to reach out to members with emails and social media. The internet has made it easy to access a wealth of information about lake management from sites such as the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (pca.state.mn.us/) and the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISCR). Similarly, the internet has made it easy to find organizations like the Minnesota Lakes and Rivers (MNLAKESANSRIVERS.ORG) Advocates who are also in search of cleaner water. Finally, a big change that has taken place has been the Association's ability to find financial resources for research and advocacy. In fact, some of this money was recently used to pay for a water quality assessment. As you will read in this newsletter, the study is leading us to work towards identifying and mitigating the influx of phosphorus into the lake.

Over 2,500 acres of lakeshore, farmland and residential developments drain into the lake via overland flow. There thus needs to be a concerted effort among homeowners, farmers and boaters to improve lake water quality. Here are a few things we all can do to help:

1. Keep as much natural vegetation between your house and lake as you can. This will filter sediments and nutrients before they reach the lake. That is, avoid mowing lawns all the way to the lake. Make use of natural “buffer zones.”

2. Do not make wide straight paths to the lake. Create narrow and winding paths. This will minimize direct runoff.

3. Take the “No Fertilizer Challenge.” Do not fertilize your lawn or garden.

4. Become a part of the Lake Steward Program. Contact one of the LWIA directors, and we can connect you with the appropriate people. *

Cleaning the lake will involve considerable time and expense, but with your help, we should be able to make changes. Thank you and let’s work together towards an improved lake.

*Other suggestions can be found at: www.pca.state.mn.us/

sites/ default/files/lakes-guidetoprotection-2.pdf

Lakers:The Leifermans

Every piece of art in Todd

Leiferman’s glass studio started in

a burlap bag. Here’s how the

transformation from bag to shelf

takes place: step one, Todd pours

glass cubes out of the bag and into

a furnace. Step two, he dips a long

steel tube into a pool of molten

glass. Step three, a miracle occurs.

Todd inexplicably uses his breath,

gravity, and few simple tools to

turn a blob of glass into a bowl,

cup, or ornament. Todd shrugs off

the miracle, “it takes some

practice.”

Todd is similarly humble about his sculpting talent. If you ask him, he might mention that he and Tom Miller

(of Mankato bison statue fame) were regular competitors at the St. Paul Winter Carnival Ice Sculpture Contest.

He has to be plied with rum and cola before he will confess that his team won the event - twice! By the way, his

favorite entry was a sculpture of a warrior princess riding a polar bear. The entry earned the unofficial moniker

Ice Bit _ h because of the rider’s ferocity and resistance to carving.

Then there’s woodworking. Many lakers live in houses Todd built or remodeled, but his woodworking talent

is most evident in his furniture and art. Both show his preference for the curve and the unconventional. True to

form, at an art exhibit featuring his woodwork (above), Todd downplayed his skill, “You just find some good

wood, start carving, remove the parts that don’t look like you want ...”,

Todd’s wife, muse, and curator is Chris Manderfield Leiferman. Chris is a semi-retired massage therapist.

She spends free time in what she calls the she-shed. The shed sits next to the glass studio and is a retreat for

reading, jewelry-making, and conversation. Like Todd, Chris understates her talents. The shed she designed has

much more in common with a Marriott suite than a garden barn. The glass studio (see back

cover) and shed are gathering

places for the Leiferman’s

eclectic group of friends. On

any given night, a visitor could

meet artists, builders, hippies,

rednecks, hunters, boaters,

Westwooders, college students,

or family. No matter the crowd,

there is always a positive vibe.

Chris and Todd are talented,

humble, and welcoming. They

bring out the best in glass,

wood, ice, and people. Many

folks who live on the lake have

benefited from their talents and

are proud to call them friends.

LWIA Waves I Winter-Spring 2021

2021 Radar Run

The annual radar run was held on Lake Washington January 16th. Participants on snowmobiles and 4 wheelers were timed on a makeshift dragstrip. The winner Glen Stickles (above) won the event this year with a speed of 169 mph. Proceeds from the event are used by the Nicollet County Trails Association Snowmobile Club for trail and groomer maintenance. Cole Bauernfeind (left) waits at the starting line.

Spring Ice

• Frazil is the name for slushy crystals that

form along the shore and in moving water.

• Ice tsunamis, aka ice shoves, or ivu are

piles of ice forced onto the beach by high

winds. They can easily alter the shoreline

and damage property.

• Ice thaws fastest in the sun, wind, and

rain. Surprisingly, wind has a greater effect

than rain. Over 2 inches of ice can melt on

a breezy, 55-degree day.

• Ice turns blue when there is very little air

in it. It’s pretty, but a sign that the lake

needs more oxygen

• Ice heaves (not to be confused with New

Year’s Day recovery) are ridges in the ice

caused by two sheets of ice colliding.

Ridges can also form down into the lake

and are called buckles. Buckles are hard to

see so they are a common spot for

vehicles to break through.

• April 30 was the latest recorded ice-out

day for Lake Washington (2018). The

earliest was March 8 in 1987. The median

is April 4.

2020 Water Quality Assessment

It emerges early in the year and produces extensive mats in 3-10 feet of water. Treatments for this plant is directed by the DNR and occurs when water temperatures are between 50-60 degrees F. The DNR also directs the number of acres to be treated and the location of treatment based on an annual delineation survey of the lake.

The LWIA hires an aquatic expert to do this treatment. This year, lake treatment will occur in late April or early May dependent on water temperatures and weather conditions. The LWIA applied for and was given a $5,000 DNR grant to help with the expense.

Curly-leaf pondweed is a nonnative invasive aquatic plants that displaces native plants and impedes recreational activities.

Invasive Species Control

The LWIA invested in a water quality assessment in 2020 to evaluate the conditions of Lake Washington and to identify the causes and sources of degradation. This assessment included an analysis of the lake’s nutrient budget, a review of internal and external sources of nutrient loading, identification of cost-effective locations for water quality Best Management Practices (BMPs).

How is our water? High levels of Chlorophyll-a (chl-a) are directly linked the amount of algae in the lake and are a result of high phosphorus concentrations. Lowering the chl-a concentration is a direct result of lowered phosphorus levels in the lake and would result in less frequent severe and very severe algal blooms.

Key Cause Phosphorus loading sources are from within the lake (internal) and the watershed (external). Internal loading can be caused by decomposing plant life or by fish stirring up the lake floor sediment. External loading can be caused by overland erosion and pollutant delivery to the lake.

The research team recommended that priority should be placed on the watershed first to provide a cleaner inflow. It takes three and a half years for the lake to flush, meaning it takes longer for clean water inflow to impact the lake. Clean inflow water results in cleaner internal lake water over time.

Litt

le F

Looking for something to read? Have a book to donate? Stop by the Little Free Library built by Joan and Jerry Lucas (above). The Little Library is on the corner of Evergreen Drive and Limberdink Road and is “open” during the summer. Little Free Libraries are part of a national movement promoting reading and community-building through book sharing. Stop by the library.

Take a Kid Fishing

Serving Lake Washington

Saturday Park Explorers

The county park is hosting self-guided activities each Saturday throughout the summer. The activities include, among others, walks, scavenger hunts, and trail picture hikes. Check the county park website for more information.

The 35th annual Take a Kid Fishing Crappie Tournament will be held at Westwood Marina on May 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The tournament produces some of the biggest crappies of the year. The event usually brings in close to 200 spectators and fishermen to watch the live weigh-ins (all fish are released).

The event organizers host 20-30 kids, aged 7-14, and treat them to a day of fishing, gifts, and door prizes. Tournament staff are volunteers, and like many of the anglers, have participated in the tournament since its inception. The generosity of the volunteers, donors, sponsors, and Westwood Marina are truly what makes this event an annual success.

Little Free Library

Camp Patterson reopens for its 94th year. The Kiwanis updated the camp during the Covid break by remodeling cabins and the lodge .

Camp Patterson

LWIA Waves I Winter-Spring 2021

Dale’s Marine - Madison Lake 243-4106

Drantel Sales and Service - St. Peter 931-1363

Lake Washington Marine - St. Peter 388-2628

Lake Boys - Cleveland 317-2820

Mankato Motorsports - Mankato 304-6786

Mapleton Marine - Mapleton 524-4588

Pontoon 1 - Mankato 388-5111

Stormy’s Marine - Madison Lake 243-3966

From Our History Book

Contact LWIA President for a copy of the book. Sales support the LWIA.

Walt’s Bar was operated by Walter Fayn between 1945 and 1948. It was located on the inlet near Camp Patterson (where Sweet’s family cabin is now). The bar was a popular late-night stop after partygoers left Hardegger’s Ballroom on Lake Jefferson. If anyone has photos of the bar, we would love copies for the LWIA archives.

Walt’s Bar

Want to join LWIA or renew?

Scan this QR code to be routed to our application form.

2021 Dues

Please make your tax-deductible check for $40 (plus an additional donation, if you wish) to: The Lake Washington Improvement Association c/o: Greg Schwarck, Treasurer, LWIA, P.O. Box 3162, Mankato, MN 56002.3162. Dues period is January 1 - December 31, 2021

We are Looking for Volunteers

The LWIA Board would love your help. We need assistance with information technology, water biology, fishing

expertise, printing, organizing social events, fundraising and recruiting. Contact Jim Folden if you would like to join the team.

• Karaoke every Friday 8-11 pm.

• Summer entertainment Saturdays 6:30-9:30 pm

and Sunday 4-7 pm starting Memorial Day

weekend.

• Every 1st Thursday of the Month - Jeremy

Poland Band 6:30-9:30pm

Westwood

LWIA Waves I Winter-Spring 2021

Your LWIA Representatives Area 1 Jim Folden 243.4114

Gary Gavin 440.3243

Area 2 Jerry Lucas 469.995

Mindy Annis 327.7716

Area 3 Roger Huettl, 381.5151

Rod Garness 438.1118

Area 4 Harlan Bloomer 243.3043

Greg Schwarck 612.709.9096

Area 5 Lee Daby 931.2394

Pam Olson 327.4111

Area 6 Dan Sachau 995.3671

Jason Femrite 380-2464

Area 7 Brenda Hannek 612.462.3231

Nick Overbey 259. 9005

At-Large Harlan Mehlhop 354.8757

Gambling Manager John Lamm 625.8029

Waves Editor Dan Sachau

President Jim Folden

Vice President Greg Schwark

Secretary Open

Treasurer Gary Gavin

Data Manager Mindy Annis

Lake WashingtonImprovement Association PO Box 3162 lakewashingtonmn.comMankato, MN 56002.3162

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