Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 10/17/2016

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Rogers Lake Fact Sheet Purpose The purpose of this fact sheet is to address concerns that have been raised regarding changing conditions of Rogers Lake and the resulting conflicts regarding recreational uses and water quality. Rather than attempt to adopt additional rules/regulations,this fact sheet will provide lakeshore owners a brief outline of existing regulations and guidance to additional information that is available. History At the confluence of the cities of Ramsey, Nowthen, and Oak Grove sits Rogers Lake. It is also under the jurisdiction of both the Upper Rum River and Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organizations. Rogers Lake is approximately forty(40) acres in size and reaches a maximum depth of six(6)feet. It is, by definition,classified as a shallow lake(having a depth less than fifteen [15]feet and dominated by wetland habitat). Rogers Lake is also classified as a Recreational Development Lake through the State of Minnesota's Shoreland Management Program. There are no inlets or outlets to Rogers Lake; it is an isolated basin and has no public access points. M1,• ` +k 2000 2003 2006 2008 (note that black represents open water and light green areas represent aquatic vegetation) Water Quality versus Recreational Uses Over the past decade, there has been a rather significant change in the composition of Rogers Lake. It has morphed from a general state of open yet turbid water with little aquatic vegetation to a plant dominated yet clearer water state (more consistent with wetland habitat than deeper water lakes). The plant dominated status of Lake Rogers seems to indicate an overall improvement in water quality. The aquatic vegetation helps consume phosphorous and can outcompete algae, both desirable traits for the lake. However,this appears to have also created a potential conflict with those looking to utilize the lake for recreational purposes and has likely impacted the fish population by lowering dissolved oxygen in the lake. This conflict is what prompted this fact sheet. May 27,2009 Julie 10.2009 August 4,2009 Decomposing large-leaf pondweed.