October Update
Attention: Dock Owners
The hunt is on...for zebra mussels
As the boating season draws to a close, dock owners are removing docks and lifts. This is a great opportunity to look for zebra mussels clinging to hard surfaces. If you use a dock removal service, talk with the workers and make sure they know what to look for.
Photo credit: Craig Olson
We are starting to see more of the pesky little critters. Baker Park staff found a large number of juvenile mussels on their sampling plate near the Baker Campground beach.
The AIS Survey Team didn't find any zebra mussels on lake vegetation, but they did find one adult mussel on coontail plants near the Independence Beach boat launch.
Observant LICA members have also discovered zebra mussels. Bob Franklin found one on his sampling plate. While cleaning her beach, Annie Ibler found two adult mussels clinging to shells. And LICA Board member Crain Olson found a number of mussels of various sizes taking up residence on his dock.
Currently zebra mussel inspection is hit-or-miss. Three Rivers does some surveying, and LICA's AIS teams look for mussels when conducting inspections, but we're relying on reports from lakeshore owners and boaters to report their findings.
If you do find zebra mussels, note the location and approximate number, put some samples in ziplock bag with a little water, and contact Pat Wulff (rwulff106@gmail.com).
Facebook links
LICA
https://www.facebook.com/lica.org
INDEPENDENCE FISHING
https://www.facebook.com/IndependenceFishing
History of Independence Beach
2020 Calendar of Events
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15th
Winter Party on Ice
On the ice behind 5010 South Lakeshore Dr.
2:00 - 5:00 PM
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29th
2019-20 Fishing Tournament closes
SATURDAY, APRIL 11th
Annual Members Meeting & Ice Cream Social
CANCELED
SATURDAY, MAY 9th
Fishing Opener
2020-2021 Fishing Tournament begins
SATURDAY, JULY 4th
4th of July Boat Flotilla
1:00 PM
Gather north of Baker Park Boat Launch
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3rd
Octoberfest Picnic
Baker Park Pavilion
CANCELED due to Park restrictions
Welcome to Lake Independence
Lake Independence is a beautiful recreational lake in Western Hennepin County, Minnesota. The lake is 844 acres in size and about 58 feet at its deepest.
Adorning its shores are 104 residential properties, Three Rivers Parks Baker Park Reserve, Vinland Center, and YMCA Camp Iduhapi. The lake has 5.8 miles of shoreline and two islands on the northwest side of the lake.
Water Level Chart Here
Great catch - 26" walleye!
Congratulations to LICA member Dale Ortlip
U of MN's St Anthony Falls Lab selected Lake Independence for Boat Wake and Wash Study
The University of Minnesota’s St. Anthony Falls Laboratory is a fluid mechanics research lab operated by the College of Science and Engineering. Engineers and scientists from the lab are conducting a research project focusing on characterizing and measuring the waves and prop wash produced by large recreational watercraft, and the impacts they have on lake bottoms and shorelines. The result will be scientific data to help state and local authorities make decisions about lake restrictions such as No Wake trigger points and safe distance from shore rules.
After surveying various recreational lakes in the Twin Cities, the team has selected the east shore of Lake Independence as the site for the study. The bottom sediment and bottom slope fit the criteria for the study. The field work for the study will be conducted in September and October. They will be installing sensor masts capable of measuring wave heights and wave energy and a sensor platform on the bottom of the lake to measure penetration depth and turbulent energy from propeller wash. The sensor masts will be visible above the water.
So watch for unusual activity on the lake this month and next, as the team of engineers and scientists conduct their experiments.