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LRRWMO Meeting Minutes September 21, 1988 Page 3 Mrs. Bartolain presented a video showing several instances of high speed water traffic and the wakes they caused adding to the erosion concerns. Of particular interest to her family is the erosion occurring to the 20 -ft. bluff adjacent to their home, which stands approximately 30 feet from the bluff. Upon discussion, Mrs. Bartolain reported that the water level stays fairly stable with some fluxuation; however, when the boards are removed from the Anoka dam, the crater level does lower somewhat. It was also pointed out that in her area, even on a windy day, the water remains very calm. In order to attempt to stabilize the bluff area, the Bartolains have at times scattered grass seed. Mrs. Bartolain stated that they regret having put stairs in the bank in the past; however, in doing so they did not tear out existing stumps. There reportedly are some trees growing on the bank, but no large willows or cottenwoods. Mr. Bradley pointed out that the Bartolain property faces north, and, therefore, does not receive much light and, thereby, retards plant growth. Mr. Bradley pointed out that there has been a_lot of erosion this year. However, a big factor to most erosion is usually a large build -up of ice traveling the river. Last year, there reportedly wasn't much ice which would attribute to the natural erosion. Mr. Bradley stated that neighbors have attempted to retard the erosion by using railroad ties to enforce the bank; however, those have been trashed out. One neighbor has reportedly poured a concrete seaway which seems to be steadier. Mrs. Bartolain stated that her family will accept the normal erosion of the river banks; however, it frightens them that their house is so close to the edge. Bartolain's neighbors have also terraced the bluff with railroad ties, but are eventually undercut by the river and fall out. Mathisen stated that that is just bad techniques in putting the ties in. He questioned how much of this erosion is normal erosion. Mrs. Bartolain passed around photographs shown at the previous WMO meeting of water skiing on the river. She reported that the skiers would come within 10 feet of their bank. Mrs. Bartolain added that skiing has increased dramatically since they moved in. Ray Schultz reported that the water level stays pretty constant except when the boards are taken off the dam in the winter. The level then drops approximately 30 to 36 inches. Mrs. Bartolain stated that should the boards be left off the dam year - round, the erosion damage would be even more harmful in that there is no vegitation down lower to hold the soil. Mr. Bradley stated that the primary erosion comes from the perpendicular cutting action coming from motor boat waves. The ice in the spring is reportedly the largest significant cutting action, but that is short lived. Mr. Bradley stated that he has even felt vibrations of the wave action while standing on the edge of the bluff. Mrs. Bartolain added that because the channel is on their side of the river, boat traffic navigates closer to their side of the shore.