The Wabana AIS boat decontamination unit is available at the Wabana Town hall – 30980 Clearwater Rd, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
The decontamination unit will be staffed Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Hot water decontamination is free to everyone during the hours the unit is staffed
PLEASE utilize this resource to help keep our lakes from being contaminated with aquatic invasive species (AIS)
WCOLA AIS Information for Resort Owners
A reminder to use Five Star Providers.
Itasca Five Star Lake Service Providers
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) have become a very real threat to our way of life in the Northland. The Itasca County AIS Program was created to meet these threats. We all must do our part to help stop the spread of AIS. Everyone needs to take personal responsibility for not spreading AIS.
The Itasca AIS Program and participating area lake associations (including WCOLA) are implementing an initiative intended to promote Lake Service Providers to lake and river shoreline property owners and to prevent AIS from being transported from one body of water to another. This is called the FiveStar Lake Service Provider initiative.
List of FiveStar Lake Service Providers: http://bit.ly/FiveStarLSPs
Itasca FiveStar Lake Service Providers are those who agree to implement the following AIS safeguards in addition to earning and maintaining Minnesota DNR Permitted status:
- I agree to monitor closely the official DNR list of infested waters so I am always up to date on which waters are infested. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais/infested.html
- I agree that any equipment I use in AIS infested lakes will before its use in any other lake always undergo thorough thermal decontamination to DNR spec, performed myself, performed by a DNR certified AIS technician on my staff, or via an AIS thermal decontamination unit operated by the Itasca AIS program (218-256-4243).
- I agree to certify that any used dock, lift, swim-raft, anchor, ladder, buoy, or any similar water-related equipment I sell or am asked to move from one water body to another has been out of the water and dried out for at least 21 days AND undergone a thorough thermal decontamination performed by the Itasca County AIS program (218-256-4243) or other DNR-certified AIS technician. Decontamination always includes a non-contact infrared thermometer to verify water temperature. The Itasca County AIS program is happy to provide inspection and decontamination services for free.
- I agree that the Itasca AIS program may from time-to-time visit and review my operations to determine that my firm is abiding by this Agreement and offer recommendations for improvement.
- The Itasca AIS program offers to pay the initial registration fee for any lake service provider who achieves MN DNR Permitted status. In addition, the Itasca AIS program offers to pay the ongoing registration fee to maintain MN DNR Permitted-status for all Itasca FiveStar lake service providers.
Here is an interesting Newsletter on Invasive Species
Zebra Mussel Alert
The first new Zebra mussel infestation in 4 years was confirmed this week at North Star Lake.
Area residents and lodges have responded with positive action.
[cid:part1.ACB0B70E.16F2CB64@paulbunyan.net] (photo taken at North Star Lake late September)
WHAT IS BAD ABOUT ZEBRA MUSSELS?
1. They grow and reproduce quickly. Zebra Mussels reproduce high numbers of eggs in their second season of life. A single female mussel can produce up to one million eggs a year.
As the mussel population explodes, they cover the bottom and sides of almost everything.
2. They can change native plant and animal communities. The amounts of food they eat and the waste they produce have
As filter feeders, they remove large amounts of microscopic plants and animals that form the base of the food chain, reducing available food for native aquatic species.
Zebra mussels attach to and encrust native mussels, essentially smothering them and removing more animals from the food chain.
3. They have recreational impacts. Zebra mussels encrust docks and boats. Small mussels can get into engine cooling systems, causing overheating and damage.
Zebra mussels also impact fish populations and reduce sport fishing opportunities. Their sharp shells can cut the feet of swimmers,
4. They cost us money. They clog water intake pipes disrupting water supplies. Zebra mussels also degrade water quality and can alter the smell and taste of the water.
Property values on infested lakes can also be adversely affected.
WHAT EVERYONE ON The Wabana Chain of Lakes CAN DO NOW:
Get outside now and check your docks, lifts and swim platforms for anything unusual. If you haven’t pulled them from the lake yet, wade out and check things out.
Go out in a couple of feet of water. Pick up and examine sticks, rocks, clams… anything. Do you see anything unusual?
We all need to know what our lakeshore and lake bottoms in front of our properties look like. The only way we can remove any AIS from our lakes is if we catch it early before it has become
This Early Detection is only possible if YOU keep an eye on YOUR property, equipment and lake bottom in front of your property.
Call Bill Grantges Itasca AIS Coordinator at 218-256-4243 if you find anything that does not belong,
if you have any questions or if you would like us to
or the DNR AIS Specialist Rich Rezenka at 218-328-8821
For more information see the following: Itasca County Aquatic Invasive Species Videos
<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmKAaGPf_mGPY68q2OKRycQ> Zebra Mussels on Sand Lake<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1Xo7UcBB8s>
We all need to work together to Preserve Our Outdoor Traditions!
Moving Docks, Boat Lifts, and other Equipment Residents may not be aware of the Minnesota law which states “a boat lift, dock, swim raft, or associated equipment that has been removed
from any water body may not be placed in another water body until a minimum of 21 days
After a thorough cleaning, equipment should be kept dry for a minimum of 21 days before placing in the water. DNR Permit required for transporting docks, lifts
and/or move a dock, boat lift, swim raft, or other water equipment from one lake or river to another, all visible zebra mussels, faucet snails, and aquatic plants must be removed whether they are dead or alive.
A DNR transport authorization permit form is required for individuals who are moving equipment which has had prohibited invasive species and/or plants attached. There is no charge for this permit.
If a business provides this service for you, the business would need to get a lake service permit. These forms are available on the DNR website: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/permits/invasive_species/index.html
If you hire someone to move your equipment, make sure the provider is on the DNR’s list of Permitted Service Providers, located online
(List is organized by county). To find out if a lake is infested with invasive species, check the DNR Infested Waters List at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais/infested.html
Source: http://www3.extension.umn.edu/county/itasca/county-natural-resource-educator/article/information-moving-docks-lifts-and-equipment-itasca-county
Here is our approved plan for any infestation: