Douglas County Board designates temporary no-wake zones on 20 Alexandria area lakes

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Waves continue to dig away already vanishing shorelines.

At Tuesday’s board meeting, Douglas County commissioners granted an amendment to combat further erosion and damage caused by high water levels in area lakes.

“Given the fact that a good number of our lakes are not just high – but in collecting some data – they are reaching all-time recorded highs,” said Land and Resource Management Director Dave Rush. “In most cases now, the water is over the protections that [lake residents] have put into place.”

The commissioners unanimously approved emergency no-wake zones for several Alexandria area lakes as proposed by Rush.

The 20 lakes protected include: Lakes Jessie, Burgen, Victoria, Geneva, L’Homme Dieu, Carlos, Darling, Cowdry, Brophy, Latoka, Ida, Mary, Andrew, Maple, Oscar, Rachel, Lobster, Mill, Irene and Red Rock.

Watercraft may not operate above a slow no-wake speed within 300 feet from shore on the protected lakes, according to the temporary special controls amendment to the water surface use ordinance.

A violation of the amendment is considered a misdemeanor offense, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Bonnie Huettl, Douglas County Lakes Association president, said the organization would assist in the implementation of the measure.

The special controls are in effect until December 31 or until water levels remain at or below one-half foot below the ordinary highwater mark for five or more consecutive days.

Lakes Osakis and Reno were not included in the measure because they are located partially within other counties.

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