Main Page
A collaborative website for members of the Silver Lake Association. (Website created and maintained by Marc Riedel.) To join the association or obtain more information, including email invitations to events, please send an email to SilverLakeMN@yahoo.com.
Contents
Events
- The first general meeting of the association will be held on May 9, 2017, at 7pm at the offices of Watershed District: 18681 Lake Drive East, Chanhassen, MN 55317. All are welcome.
About Silver Lake
There are many Silver Lakes across the country, and several in Minnesota. Ours is located here:
See the Silver Lake Fact Sheet, courtesy of the watershed district
About the Association
Mission
Stewardship of the natural world throughout the Silver Lake area is the mission of Silver Lake Residents' Association.
The association shall lead and work with residents and government units to conserve and improve the quality of our waters, shoreland and wildlife resources. Its mission is to preserve the recreational, aesthetic and ecological values of Silver Lake for the benefit of present and future generations.
Its primary goal is to disseminate information. The association will serve as:
- a conduit of information to the the residents of Silver Lake regarding the welfare and management of the lake;
- a conduit of information, questions and concerns from the residents of Silver Lake to the local and state entities such as the Watershed District, the DNR, the municipalities of Shorewood and Chanhassen, as well as Hennepin County.
Other specific goals are:
- to preserve wildlife
- to manage vegetation
- to improve water clarity
- to undertake drainage improvements
- to educate lake shore residents on lake/lake shore management
- to provide social opportunities for members
Active Topics
- Excellent presentation on shallow lakes: Video
- Silver Lake has a healthy population of wild rice. See discussion.
- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency had planned to reclassify Silver Lake as wetland instead of a shallow lake. See discussion.
- Stormwater runoff is harming our lake. See discussion.
- Dorothy is concerned about Blue Green Algae. See discussion.
- The culvert on Covington Avenue is badly damaged and a cause for concern. See discussion.
- Residents have been discussing plans to mitigate the damage from the Emerald Ash Borer. See discussion.
- Dorothy has identified Northern Red Belly Dace, an unusual species, in Silver Lake. See discussion.
- The Metropolitan Council Sewer Line runs beneath the western shore of Silver Lake. There is concern about its integrity. See discussion.
History of Silver Lake
Gary Kiecker has done some remarkable research into the history of the lake, from the earliest settlers through to the 1950's. Did you know that Silver Lake was first settled by Simon and Katharina (Lehnertz) Cordell in 1853? That the slopes on the west side of the lake once boasted apple orchards and vineyards? See the slides from Gary's presentation at our May meeting.
Newsletter
What Can You Do
- Reduce stormwater runoff: Tips.
- Create and maintain a proper shoreland buffer: Tips.
- Minimize erosion: Tips.
- Limit salting: Tips.
- Create a home for wildlife: Tips.
Resources
- Silver Lake Fact Sheet
- Dorothy's presentation Pedersen Wildlife and Water Quality Landscaping at our association meeting in May, 2017.
- 2016 Survey of Wild Rice
- 2013 Aquatic Plant Survey of Silver Lake.
- 2008 Watershed District Report On Lake Health. (Excerpt of Silver Lake Portion.)
- Developing a Lake Management Plan by the Interagency Lakes Coordinating Committee
- MLA Guidebook for Lake Associations
- Information on Shallow Lake Ecology
- DNR Shoreland Management Guide
Photos
We would like to assemble a gallery of photos contributed by Association Members. Please email your photos to Marc: mriedel@umn.edu.
- Bill shared this time lapse satellite imagery of Silver Lake from 1984 to 2016. You can slow it down by tapping on the speed in the lower left, or pause it and go from year-to-year.
- Here is a collage of photos of Silver Lake, assembled by Marc.
- Here is a college of Aerial Photos of Silver Lake, provided by Bill.
- According old timers, otters were never present on Silver Lake. Around 2012, they made their way up the Purgatory Creek watershed, and Silver Lake now has a thriving population. Another reason why our little lake is special.
(Photo courtesy of Sherri West).
