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Lake levels have been, and continue to be, an issue of concern for Sugar Lake residents, property owners, and users. Last summer, we dealt with high water levels resulting from historic amounts of rain. Our Winter Meeting this year will be a forum to provide stakeholders with the opportunity to discuss the lake level issue in a structured fashion. We’ll also have an update from the DNR on the latest changes in regulations and walleye stocking of Sugar Lake.

This little mussel could change Sugar Lake forever. There is no treatment. Prevention is the only answer. Volunteers from your Board of Directors attempted to look at every piece of equipment that came out of the lake this fall. It appears that we do not have them yet, and we want it to stay that way. We need everyone to be on the lookout. Sugar Lake is especially at risk. Our lake appears to be an ideal environment for the zebra mussel. We have a lot of boat traffic that could easily come from infected water such as Mille Lacs, Lake Minnetonka, or the Mississippi River.

The Minnesota DNR has recently discovered infestations of zebra mussels in both Lake Irene and Rose Lake. Both infestations have been linked to purchase of contaminated boat lifts. This could have been avoided if the lifts had been left on shore over the winter because the mussels cannot live that long out of water. Zebra mussel infestations can kill native mussels, threaten fish populations, and clog irrigation systems and boat engines. Swimmers would be required to wear shoes to prevent getting cut on the sharp edges of the shells.

No items should be put into the lake without a complete decontamination. Know what to do and spread the word. Remember to decontaminate your equipment when you come from any lake or river. Check here for DNR information on how to keep invasives out of Sugar.

Volunteer: We are asking for volunteers to be spotters by having a Zebra "brick" or other surface that they can check every other week and report to our Zebra Czar at zebra@sugarlake.org. Send an e-mail now to volunteer.

The unseasonably warm weather has resulted in open water on the lake. As you can see from the photo (courtesy of Cindi Peterson), trumpeter swans and geese have stayed around and are adding their beauty and melodious song to Sugar this winter. Do note that because much of the lake is still open, many areas are hazardous for ice fishing. Take care!

Join the University of Minnesota Master Gardeners of Wright County on Saturday, March 10th, at the St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West for a day of informational sessions on stormwater management, prairie style gardens, landscaping with native plants, cottage gardens, garden photography, growing trees and shrubs. Attend talks, ask questions and visit vendors at the WCMG Spring Days Gardening Workshop. For more information, contact Wright County Extension at 763-682-7394 or visit www.springdays.org