 More and more lake communities and households are choosing to take Hennepin County’s Lake Pledge to protect our lakes and stop aquatic invasive species. Participants from numerous lakes are gaining pledges! Perhaps it is the competitive spirit, a sense of community involvement, or just plain curiosity, but whatever the reason for taking the pledge it is increasing our community awareness of AIS.
Among the lakes leading the Lake Pledge Leaderboard is Christmas Lake, which committed to the Lake Pledge just this year and has sky-rocketed to first place with 77% of the lakeshore properties and 171 total individuals. Time, communication, and persistence got them there. Joe Shneider, AIS manager for the Christmas Lake Homeowner’s Association, admits that it was a lot of time and coordination; however, with the help of other homeowners and several strategic outreach campaigns, they are spreading the word.
The initial burst of pledges occurred after Tony Brough, AIS coordinator for Hennepin County, spoke at Christmas Lake’s annual homeowners meeting. The conversation drew many positive comments, and 20-25%of the homeowners pledged immediately following the meeting. This was followed-up with email blasts to the Christmas Lake homeowners which increased the pledging rate to about 50%. Finally, volunteers reached out on a personal level, speaking to other homeowners directly. Joe says this was probably the most important thing that they did. After speaking to someone, a new pledge came within a day. Pamphlets about Hennepin County Lake Pledge were left on doorsteps of those not home, and often followed-up by text messages to let their neighbors know that they were there. Joe would like to see them hit the 80%mark. The next step is to get the message into the City of Shorewood’s newsletter to get more non-homeowners who love Christmas Lake to pledge. Joe said, “If you love your lake, take the pledge.”
Sign up for Lake Pledge
- On a computer: lakepledge.com
- On a mobile device: download the Lake Pledge app on Apple’s App Store or Google Play
When you register: select the Hennepin County lake you use most often. When prompted to select the ways that you enjoy time on the water (sailing, fishing, kayaking, etc.) choose everything that applies to any lake in the county.
 Brittle Naiad at Mitchell Lake
Photo provided by Lori Haak
Brittle naiad, an invasive plant that lives in water, was first discovered in Hennepin County in Eden Prairie’s Round Lake in 2010. Recently, the plant was also discovered in Mitchell Lake. In addition to Mitchell Lake, brittle naiad has been discovered in four other Eden Prairie water bodies including Bryant Lake, Purgatory Creek Park wetland complex, Round Lake, and Staring Lake.
Although the growth of brittle naiad is usually compact and bushy, the highly branched stems can grow up to 4 feet in length and fragment easily. It spreads primarily by seeds and plant fragments.
Mitchell Lake monitoring
To assess the impact and limit the spread of this invasive species, the City of Eden Prairie is working closely with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District to monitor Mitchell Lake and identify next steps. Using herbicides to conduct widescale eradication of brittle naiad is not possible, as it would harm the native plants necessary to the ecological health of the lake.
Brittle naiad Infestations
 Brittle naiad has been found in only nine lakes and one wetland throughout Minnesota. Notably, all findings were in a small area around Eden Prairie and Chanhassen except one in Dakota County.
Brittle naiad spreads by fragmentation and transport on boats and equipment.
 Brittle naiad at Mitchell Lake. Photo provided by Lori Haak.
Similar species
Another similar naiad species commonly found in Hennepin County lakes is slender naiad (Najas flexilis) also known as bushy pondweed. Brittle naiad (Najas minor) can be distinguished from slender naiad by its recurved (obvious downward arch), toothed leaves, and brittleness (it may break apart when picked up). The close-up photo of the plant, however, shows that these features may not always be visible or obvious. Brittle naiad is generally short, while slender naiad can grow up to three feet tall.
How you can stop the spread
Clean your watercraft, trailer, and equipment before leaving any lake or stream. Remove visible plant and animal species, as well as mud. Don’t forget to clean kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards too! Drain all water from your boat and bait bucket and dispose of unwanted bait in the trash to prevent transporting plant fragments to another waterbody.
 Zebra mussels attached to plate sampler
Zebra mussels were first discovered in Lake Independence in 2014. An early effort to eradicate them was unsuccessful. Since that time, the mussels have been spreading. They are now found in many areas of the lake as confirmed by a group of Lake Independence Citizens Association members in September 2023 during a partial survey conducted with Carolyn Dindorf providing technical assistance as part of an AIS Prevention grant from Hennepin County. Zebra mussels were found on many of the plants pulled up with rake tosses. Plant diversity was very low.
The photos in this article show the buildup of zebra mussels on a plate sampler suspended at the end of a LICA member’s dock. This could be your motor or boat hull. The plate and rope were covered in layers of zebra mussels. Since eradication is so difficult and unlikely, prevention is the key in keeping zebra mussels out of your lake. If you go to another lake, make sure you check and clean your boat, motor, trailer, and equipment; drain water from your boat and bait buckets, and take all precautions to prevent introducing zebra mussels into your lake.
 Close-up of zebra mussels on plate sampler
Contact Tony Brough at tony.brough@hennepin.us if you're interested in assistance training your lake group members in surveying and identifying AIS in 2024.
 Hennepin County recently conducted AIS prevention outreach to pet stores and garden centers. These retail stores can be sources of invasive crayfish, turtles, snails, plants and fish. Each store received a visit, handout, and discussion including watching a short video on AIS prevention actions specific to their work created by Bolton & Menk for Hennepin County stores. The video includes a quiz and pledge that store staff can take to get a certificate. The video and materials are posted at hennepin.us/aisprevention.
When your dock or boatlift is removed this fall, remember to check for AIS. Check any parts of the equipment that were submerged in water, especially the hard-to-reach areas. Invasive species such as zebra mussels can harbor on this equipment. Feel free to contact Tony Brough or Carolyn Dindorf if you see anything unusual.
Please share this newsletter with others on your lake or other Hennepin County lakes!
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Program contact
hennepin.us/aisprevention
612-348-3777
Hennepin County AIS training and technical assistance contacts
Tony Brough
Hennepin County AIS coordinator
tony.brough@hennepin.us
612-348-4378
Carolyn Dindorf
Bolton & Menk, Inc.
carolyn@bolton-menk.com
612-220-4999
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