Become a Member or Renew Membership
Goals:
The purpose of the Waseca Lakes Association shall be to improve and maintain the water quality of the Waseca lakes and adjoining watershed for all users. The group will be organized as a non-profit organization to promote involvement and input from all watershed residents, interested persons, and organizations through communication, action, and education.
In the paragraphs below you will find information about our efforts to improve the quality of our lakes. With the tightening of budgets for our partners and the availability of grants, we are more financially challenged than ever to continue both Harvester Operation and Chemical Treatments for AIS. If you are not interested in becoming a member of the Association, perhaps you might help us by submitting a donation to assist us...if so, please click Waseca Lakes Donation. Thank you so much for your consideration, we really appreciate the help!! Visit our Facebook page or read our Newsletter
Issues and Positions
Below are current efforts to manage aquatic invasive weeds and improve water quality in Clear Lake:
Clear Lake was impacted by very heavy infestations of curly-leaf pondweed (CLP) and Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) in 2021. These invasive weeds hamper boat navigation and decay late summer releasing phosphorous which causes algae blooms.
1. Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM): The WLA contracted for a "whole lake" fluridone treatment that was applied June 14th targeting EWM in 2022. Fluridone is a very expensive, but effective treatment for Eurasian watermilfoil and we hope that this unique treatment will reset the EWM population so that we can target any small areas that reoccur in coming years. Followup surveys done in 2023 found no EWM, but if you do see some, please report to the WLA immediately so we can target any new growth.EWM in Clear Lake August 2020
2. Curlyleaf Pondweed (CLP): Waseca county successfully used the new Weed Harvester in Clear Lake for the first time in 2022 and they were successful in removing 230 tons over 75 acres of the most affected areas of Clear Lake. That effort was repeated on the southern end of the lake in 2023 and 2024 and plans are the same for 2025. While the harvester has concentrated on the southern half of the lake, the northern ends of the lake were treated for CLP by the WLA treating 60 acres in 2023 and 75 acres in 2024. Clear lake will be surveyed in early 2025 to determine locations of CLP and permitted accordingly by the DNR. Once permits are acquired, we plan to use the lake harvester in the southern half and chemical treatment in the northern half of Clear Lake in 2025. CLP in Clear Lake July 2019
If you are a private lakeshore owner, you can obtain a permit from the MN DNR aquatic plant management staff, and shoreline owners can have 50ft, or one half the length of your shoreline, which ever is less, treated for all weeds. Licensed aquatic applicators such as Lakescapes, Inc can be contacted and will take care of the permitting for you.
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We’d love to have more community support with this. It’s very easy, fun, and gets people outdoors for a good cause. Plus you get donuts, drinks and hot dogs for helping! ![]()
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We have a few local celebrities too: Duane Rathmann (lake expert) Dave Zika (retired teacher coach and great dude), and Joan Mooney (local historian and babysitter for Coach Zika) plus a few more great people! ![]()
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Thank you to Owatonna’s Best Hy-vee and Waseca Kwik Trip for the Support in food and beverage! ![]()
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Thank you to all supporters, donors and volunteers in making our community great! Bring your friends and family Saturday morning!!
Notice
March 13, 2025: The large ice heaves on the NE part of Clear Lake shoreline have caused a lot of shoreline disruption. Please do not try to address the shoreline on your own until you consult with our local Waseca county land and water resources office. They have offered to help you through the process with an on site meeting and have waived permit fees. See letter attached: County Help on Shoreline Repair Thank you. Photo of Ice Heaves on Clear Lake 050524
Stay tuned 2025 Lakefest details including our annual Freedom Run, music in the park, kids activities, concessions, etc, ending with fireworks above Clear Lake.