From the Mille Lacs Messenger
County issues no wake restriction on several lakes
Posted: Thursday, July 14, 2016 2:31 pm
The Aitkin County Board of Commissioners passed a slow-no wake resolution July 14 in an emergency meeting for the following lakes in Aitkin County due to high water levels:
• Hill Lake, Hill Lake Township
• Dam Lake, Glen Township
• Long Lake, Glen Township
• Gun Lake, Fleming Township
• Hammal (Bass) Lake, Farm Island Township
• Nord Lake, Nordland Township
• Farm Island, Farm Island Township
• Cedar Lake, Farm Island Township
• Lone Lake, Nordland Township
The duration of the no wake will last until midnight, July 25, prior to the next regular meeting of the board. The lakes included on the list were decided by public input at the meeting and through phone calls made to commissioners and the sheriff’s office. The no wake regulation is for the entirety of the lakes listed.
Aitkin County Sheriff Scott Turner issued a press release Wednesday asking for all watercraft users on all county lakes to use caution. “We ask that everyone engaging in boating activities be good stewards of the resources and tailor your activities so that no wake is created within 300 feet of shoreline until further notice,” Turner wrote in an advisory.
The specific lakes listed may drain slower or faster than others; the resolution was put in place because of the makeup of shorelines and the possible damage that could be created from wakes on those lakes experiencing high water levels.
Steve Hughes, Aitkin County Soil and Water Conservation District, said he will be prompting aquatic invasive species inspectors to talk with boaters at public accesses about the restrictions, to help get word out. Hughes will also be on KKIN radio Friday morning to help spread the message.
Board Chairman Mark Wedel thanked the public for its input and for those who appeared in person before the board. Representatives from Farm Island Lake, Nord Lake and Hammal Lake were present at the meeting.