by Wayne Pelzel, Sleepy Eye Mayor
Last week’s issue of the Herald-Dispatch featured a news article by editor, Dave Forster, on the results of Dr. Bryce Hoppie’s study of Sleepy Eye Lake. The article was concise, informative and accurate.
Dr. Hoppie, an instructor at Minnesota State University, Mankato, did the study at the City of Sleepy Eye’s request to provide factual information on what is happening to Sleepy Eye Lake. The study focused on the east arm of Sleepy Eye Lake (the slough to the north of St. Mary’s School). The study’s intent was to focus on why that arm of the lake is filling in with sediment. The arm of the lake is important because almost all the water entering Sleepy Eye Lake flows through the arm. If the arm is filling in with sediment (which it is), how long do we have before the arm no longer has the ability to filter out the sediment, making Sleepy Eye Lake the recipient of the sediment, phosphorus and nitrogen that the slough used to filter out before the water ran into the lake. Those contaminants would have a very negative impact on the lake causing it to fill in, experience huge algae blooms, accelerate weed growth, and deteriorate the overall water quality of the lake.
We learned a lot from Dr. Hoppie’s study. We now know scientifically that the slough is a valuable filter for the lake. We also know that we have to act in order to preserve the slough’s ability to protect the lake from the runoff pollutants.
The Lake Improvement Committee made up of Brian Cook, Steve Morasch, Ed Treml, Matt Mathiowetz, Sam Domeier, Tom Moldaschel and Wayne Pelzel will be working on strategies to improve the filtering potential of that body of water. To a large degree we will be working with DNR Hydrologist, Kyle Jarcho, who has taken a special interest in Sleepy Eye Lake.
Part of the challenge that lies before us will be to come up with the funding needed to implement the needed interventions. We’ll be working on grants to help defray costs of the work that will need to be done.
Most significantly, the residents of Sleepy Eye need to be aware of their contribution to what happens in our storm sewers. Whatever they put on the street ends up in the east arm of the lake (if you live on the north side of town). And by the way, the storm water from the south end of town ends up in the Cottonwood River so those folks need to be vigilant as well. Grass clippings and leaves should be kept off the streets.
We’ll keep you informed on the progress of this important effort. The three dredge projects on our lake did a wonderful job to improve the lake, but the loss of the filtering function the east arm of the Lake provides will rapidly move the lake into a spiral of deteriorating water quality and sedimentation.
And on another matter, there has been a Sleepy Eye Regional Foundation committee working these last several months to form a Foundation that will enhance the ability of folks to make tax deductible donations. The Foundation is non-profit and serves the Sleepy Eye Area. Donations may be made to the Sleepy Eye Regional Foundation (SERF). Contact the EDA Office of the city at (507) 794-5636 for more information.