Lake Health/Weeds
Our mission is to maintain the ecological balance of our lakes while ensuring they remain vibrant spaces for recreation and wildlife.
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This section provides valuable information on efforts to manage the aquatic vegetation,
keeping the lakes enjoyable for all while protecting native plant and animal species.
Join us in working to sustain the beauty and vitality of Twin Lakes for generations to come.
August 2024
Lake weed removal by Premier Weed Removal.
2024 Weed Removal Project
Discover the transformation brought by the Twin Lake Weed Removal Project. Witness the beauty of our community with stunning before and after photos showcasing the remarkable changes. Scroll through the gallery and be amazed by the results.
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2025 Plant Mgmt Plan (In Progress)
Upper Twin has been experiencing yearly heavy growth of native (non-invasive) submersed weeds including Coontail Pondweed, Sago Grass, Duckweed, Filamentous Algae, and Northern Watermilfoil which severely limit boating, swimming and kayaking. We can apply for a permit anytime prior to August 1, 2025 to treat the native weeds. The application cost is $2,500 to treat 20+ acres. The next step is hiring a licensed plant surveyor to perform a site inspection which costs $1,500-$2,500. The DNR will review the survey and issue a permit that identifies the areas and total acreage we can treat under the permit. We then hire a licensed company to perform mechanical control (cut or push weeds with equipment and remove & dispose on non-residential land areas). Mechanical control will need to be done twice a year to be effective. The estimated cost for the first round of mechanical treatment which we have scheduled for June 2025 will be $8,000-$10,000. We spent the majority of funds we had on hand to treat Curlyleaf in April (see below) leaving us only $3,000 in savings. That means we need to increase membership in the association and/or receive donations from lakeshore owners to cover the cost of the June treatment.
The only prohibited invasive plant species we currently have on any of our lakes is Curlyleaf Pondweed. It is a fast growing species and unlike other plants it grows better in cold water and low light than any other plant. It emerges in early Spring and begins to die by mid-July. At full size, it can reach up to 15' and create dense mats that interfere with aquatic, recreational and fishing activities. The treatment is broad spectrum meaning it will kill all weeds it comes into contact with. However, the DNR only approves the treatment of Curlyleaf is early Spring before any other weeds have emerged which means the treatment has a limited effect on native weeds which grow in June or later. The Association intends to apply for a grant request on behalf of Upper and Middle for Curlyleaf Pondweed treatment to the 2026 Aquatic Invasive Species Control Grant Program. Applications are selected by random order until all funds are spent and the award amounts are determined by DNR approved project acreage. Applications are due in early December and grant award notification is in January. If we receive a grant that covers the cost of Curlyleaf, we will have to pay for treatment from Association funds and wait for reimbursement. However, once we are reimbursed we can use Association funds to treat native (non-invasive) weeds that emerge in June or later.
Lake Weeds Management & Mapping
Explore our comprehensive maps detailing our lake weeds management strategy.
The first map illustrates the route we’ll be taking to cut the lake weeds. The second map provides an in-depth view of the same areas, highlighting the depth from the surface to the plants, filamentous floating algae, and weed growth. We have delineated 42.63 acres, which is about 34% of the lake's littoral area. Additionally, filamentous floating algae is shown as an overlay with red squares.
The Twin Lake Association currently only has 28 paying members. If we don't gain any new members before June, we will be $17,000 short for 2025 treatments.
We are looking to raise funds for 2025 treatments from two sources.
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1. Membership Growth - We need to increase the number of paying members to $100 per year. There are 77 homes on Upper and 10 on Middle that are impacted by the excessive weeds and will benefit from the treatment.. Please help us spread the word to friends, neighbors, and fellow lake users to join!
2. Donations - We need contributions from community members, local businesses and frequent lake visitors in any amount.
Please donate whatever you can afford by clicking here!
Association Treatment History
2025 Curlyleaf Pondweed 18.6 acres | Cost: $7,100.00
2024 Association Bought an Aquatic Weed Cutter and volunteers cut 42 acres of the lake.
2024 Hired Premier Weed Removal to remove weeds around Upper lake. Cost $7,200.00
2024 Curlyleaf Pondweed 18 acres.
2023 Negotiated a discounted rate for homeowners to purchase and apply Hydrothol on their shorelines.
2022 Curlyleaf Pondweed 16.2 acres Upper | Cost: $5,834
2020 Cattails & Waterlilies in Upper / Middle Channel | Cost $291
2017 Curlyleaf Pondweed 13.8 acres Upper | Cost: $3,568.72
2015 Curlyleaf Pondweed 12 acres Upper | Cost: $4,032
2012 Eurasian Milfoil 23.8 acres Upper | Cost $4,062.30
How to Treat
Your
Shoreline
Under Minnesota law, aquatic plants growing in public waters are the property of the state.
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A permit is NOT needed as a property owner to create or maintain a swimming or boat docking area if you follow certain rules:
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You clear no more than a 2,500 sf area (50' wide by 50' deep).
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You clear a boat channel no more than 15 ft wide as long as necessary to reach open water. If you are clearing lilypads, you may use mechanical means.
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You cut or pull the weeds by hand or with hand operated or powered tools.
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You must dispose of all weeds you cut or pull on land either on your own property or elsewhere. If you transport it, you need to download this form.
A permit is REQUIRED as a property owner to do the following:
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Apply herbicides or algecides in any amount.
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Destroy emergent vegetation (cattails, lilypads).
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Use automated mechanical plant control devices.
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Use a hydrolic jet (e.g. aqua-thruster) that disturbs the lake bottom. You may only use one of these without a permit IF it is set near the water surface to blow away surface debris and algae.
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Use a lake bottom barrier / weed mat to prevent or destroy growth.
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Remove aquatic plants where they do NOT interfere with swimming, boating or other recreation.
Why We Have Weed Growth
Lakes undergo a natural aging process by which, over thousands of years, they slowly fill up with sediment. This sediment is primarily decayed plant and animal matter and eroded soil that has washed in from the surrounding land. The sediment also contains nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous. As the sediment builds up, the bottom sediments become more fertile, and conditions in the lake become more favorable for aquatic plant growth.
Like their land-based cousins, aquatic plants need sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and nutrients-including phosphorous, nitrogen, and potassium to grow. The watershed is the primary source of nutrients. Northern Minnesota lakes typically have few aquatic plants because the watershed is low in phosphorous and nitrogen. In central and southern Minnesota, where the soils are naturally more fertile, more nitrogen and phosphorous enter lakes from the watershed, so these nutrient-rich lakes tend to have more aquatic plants and algae.
During periods of heavy rainfall, increased runoff brings more nutrients into a lake. These additional nutrients may be released from flooded soils or carried into the lake on silt or clay particles. Excess nutrients often boost plant growth, particularly algae or free-floating aquatic plants. If rainfall and water levels are normal, nutrient levels and plant growth tend to remain stable. Conversely, low water levels can promote plant growth, particularly that of rooted plants, by expanding the shallow-water areas available for growth.
Intense cultivation or land development near a lake can also increase the amount of aquatic plants by increasing the amount of nutrients flowing from the watershed into the water. Houses, paved driveways, and other hard surfaces adds to the amount of nutrient-rich runoff that flows into lakes and streams. For all of these reasons, lakes and ponds that did not support a dense growth of aquatic plants in their natural state may show increased growth because of human activities. Reduce phosphorus pollution to protect our lakes by only using phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer!!