Lake Elmo residents urge council to address high water, boat wakes and invasive species threats on Lake Jane
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Summary
Residents told the Lake Elmo City Council that Lake Jane’s water level is at a record high, shoreline erosion is increasing from large boat wakes, and that zebra mussels and other invasive organisms from upstream lakes threaten local beaches and docks.
LAKE ELMO, Minn. — Residents of Lake Jane told the Lake Elmo City Council on Wednesday that high water levels, increasing numbers of large boats and limited enforcement are causing shoreline damage and raising concerns about invasive species.
“the water levels are at an all time high. We've talked to the DNR and they can't release any water until spring,” resident Denise Elliott said, describing Lake Jane as the final receiving body for runoff from lakes upstream. Elliott and fellow resident Tony Zeitner said waves from larger boats are eroding shorelines, pushing back beaches and making it unsafe for children to play.
Elliott said residents counted roughly 85 watercraft on the lake, including pontoons, speedboats and jet skis, and reported individual households keeping multiple watercraft. “We've been shoved back so much by the water. So I'm starting to get nervous,” she said, asking whether the city could install buoys to mark a no-wake line and whether grants or other funding might be available to shore up the shoreline.
Jill Lundgren, who also spoke later in the meeting, asked the council to re-evaluate Lake Olson, Lake De Montreville and Lake Jane together, warning that zebra mussels have been confirmed in Olson and De Montreville and could spread to Lake Jane. “Within five years, Lake Olson and De Montreville will have zebra mussels… These little zebra mussels are sharp, very invasive,” Lundgren said.
Residents said they had contacted the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the sheriff’s office but described enforcement and remediation options as limited. “The DNR said call the sheriff. When you call the sheriff, nobody shows up,” Elliott said. She also asked whether the city could pursue state or county grants to help stabilize shorelines.
Why it matters: Shoreline erosion can reduce usable beach areas, damage private docks and yards, and increase sediment and nutrient runoff. The arrival of zebra mussels can damage underwater structures and spread on boats and trailers, creating long-term management costs for homeowners and the city.
What the council did: These remarks came during the public comment portion of the Aug. 6 meeting; no formal council action or new enforcement directive was recorded during the meeting. Residents asked the council to consider buoy placement, re-examine lake hours or no-wake zones, and look into possible funding sources; staff and council members acknowledged the concerns and noted they would forward the comments to appropriate departments for follow up.
Next steps: Residents asked that the council put lake conditions and possible shoreline protections on a future workshop agenda; city staff and the DNR were identified in public remarks as potential partners for investigation and funding.
Speakers at the meeting emphasized they were not seeking to ban boats but to manage wake impacts and invasive-species spread. The council did not take formal action at the Aug. 6 meeting on the points raised by speakers.
