Eagle Lake Excitement!

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1 Special points of interest: New State Convention Logo Restoration of Anderson Lake State Chair Sign-off Minnesota State Convention Highlights Eagle Lake Excitement! The Eagle Lake enhancement is DU s newest Living Lakes project. At left, the preexisting Eagle Lake dam structure at the outlet. The photo, taken in 2012, shows the turbid water condition of the lake. Inside this issue: Chair s Chatter 2 Making of The State Logo 3 Below: The completed structure shown on February 5, Eagle Lake Project 4 Eagle Lake Dedication Minnesota Artist s Corner Project Hall of Fame Volunteer Spotlight State Convention Photos Chevy Truck Winner More about the Eagle Lake enhancement project on page 4

2 Page 2 Winter 2015 State Chair s Chatter Thank You The Ducks Unlimited State Convention, held in mid-february, brought along a change in the guard. state chairman, Tim Roble, finished his term on a positive note. Tim Roble, State Chair Your Minnesota DU State Committee State Chair Tim Roble Frazee, MN tcroble@yahoo.com State Council Chair Dave Flink Hutchinson, MN dflink@mnducksvolunteer.org State Chair Elect Brian Ross Baxter MN bross@mnducksvolunteer.org State Treasurer Dan Scheffler Northfield, MN danielscheffler1@gmail.com My two-year state chairman term ended last weekend at the Minnesota Ducks Unlimited Convention in Willmar, and what a weekend it was. This year s convention had well over 400 people in attendance and a good time was had by all. Tim Roble gives his last address as state chair. For his final State Chair s Chatter, Tim had this to say: My message this time is simply thank you. Minnesota Ducks Unlimited is really doing well raising money for the ducks and it shows with the projects being delivered right here in Minnesota. Last year, Ducks Unlimited, Inc. delivered more acers of habitat here in Minnesota than any other state. That says a lot for Minnesota, but it all begins with YOU. You, the members and volunteers are Ducks Unlimited. Together with the best staff possible, we can deliver science based conservation better than any other organization. It has been my pleasure to be the state chair for the last two years. We are fortunate to have five regional directors here in Minnesota, each of them have their own qualities that make up team DU. We also have the best of the best in conservation staff, John Schneider and Josh Kavanagh, along with their team, deliver great work on the ground that is really making a difference on our landscape. So to all of you I say Thank You and keep up the great work you do for DU. At left: Tim and Carrie Roble with their bronze sculpture that they received in appreciation for Tim s services as state chair. State Volunteer Recruitment Coord. Scott Christensen Litchfield, MN lfd116i@yahoo.com State Convention Chairs Kyle and Donna Thaemlitz Lakefield, MN th613@frontiernet.net State Major Gift Chair Jim Demgen East Gull Lake, MN james.demgen@gmail.com At right: A changing in the guard. Tim Roble welcomes new Minnesota Ducks Unlimiteds chair, Brian Ross.

3 Page 3 The Making of the State Convention Logo One of the first duties of the state chair is to create a new Minnesota Ducks Unlimited state convention logo. Recently elected chair, Brian Ross, was inspired by an October 2012 trip to Vinge Lake in western Minnesota. It was a windy early October morning with heavy clouds spitting rain and sleet, he recalls. The big diver migration was on and we were taking redheads, canvasbacks, and greater scaup. By mid-morning we almost had our limit, when a flock of ten canvasbacks roared over the decoys and I took the biggest drake in the bunch. Brian sent in his trusty labrador retriever, Fritz, and was able to get a great photograph of him retrieving the duck. In fact, Brian liked the photo so much that he asked his sister-in-law, Judy Ferry, to paint a picture of it for him. Judy, who has been painting since her thirties and teaching art classes for over thirteen years, was up to the task. Judy really captured Fritz s personality, Brian says. The original photo which inspired the 2015 state convention logo, and the finalized version of the MN DU State Pin. The painting, entitled Vinge Lake Retrieve was completed in the fall of Brian says that he chose the picture to become the new logo because, Hunting with a retriever is a part of the waterfowling lifestyle. The relationship between a hunter and dog is special and it helps us to be conservationists, by retrieving all of the ducks that we shoot. There is a lot of personal meaning in the image. The new logo is being put on pins, clothing and hats, and will be available beginning February 13th at the Minnesota Ducks Unlimited s state convention. The logo is also on the state pin for trading at the national convention in June. Above: Embroidered logo A close-up of the Vinge Lake Retrieve At right: Vinge Lake Retrieve artist, Judy Ferry.

4 Page 4 Winter 2015 Eagle Lake Excitement! The Eagle Lake enhancement is one of DU s newest projects in Minnesota. The project consists of replacing a fixed crest outlet structure with a variable crest structure to allow for water level control and periodic drawdowns on this 409-acre shallow lake. Construction took place this winter and the structure itself was just finished in February. The project had been planned for some time because Eagle Lake had a long history of poor water conditions from high water levels and carp. The lake had very turbid water with algae blooms and a lack of submerged and emergent vegetation. Much of the land around the lake is owned by the Minnesota DNR, who manage it as part of the Ras-Lynn Wildlife Management Area, but who could not manage the lake with drawdowns because they did not own the entire lake shore. To rectify the inability to legally manage the water levels, the DNR, with DU s and the Buffalo River Watershed District s assistance, worked to have the lake designated as a wildlife lake (see 50th Wildlife Lake Designation story on page 8). This designation allows DNR to periodically drawdown the lake to kill undesirable fish and allow vegetation to reestablish. Above: An updated aerial view of the Eagle Lake Enhancement Project, including the public water access and water control structure. The designation process started in 2013 and required DNR to prepare a Management Plan. The process included a public hearing on April 23, 2014 and DNR accepted comments on the designation and management plan until May 23, DU volunteers and staff attended the public hearing to provide support and comments. At right: Construction continues on the weir opening and the cap on the sheet piling. The comments were incorporated in the Management Plan and the process moved forward to the official designation. The DNR Commissioner signed the Eagle Lake Wildlife Lake Designation on September 5, 2014 as part of the 50th Wildlife Lake Designation celebration. This allowed the replacement of the water control structure to proceed. Continued on next page...

5 Page 5 Eagle Lake Excitement! (Continued) It is amazing how fast the contractors work. The contractor was Landwehr Construction from St. Cloud, who was on site in December to breach the old structure and allow the lake to drain down a foot or so. Matt Olson, DU s Construction Manager, was onsite during the construction process to assist with construction activities and observation. He regularly sent photos to the Cattail s editor to document the progress of the project. Landwehr s personnel returned in late January to begin the actual construction. The first step was to build temporary earthen coffer dams to reduce water flowing into the excavation for the structure. The structure excavating was then completed and Above: The contractor placing the riprap around the structure on February 5, At left: The contractor welding a portion of the catwalk for the structure on February 3, Below: The completed project will be in need of some clean-up this spring. the sheet piling installed. The sheet piling basically forms the new dam structure and the sheet piles are pounded down to add stability to the structure. The catwalk and the remainder of the structure are then attached to the piling. The fish grates and stop logs are added to the structure near the end of construction. Finally, the riprap is added around the structure to prevent erosion and armor the outlet. Site grading and restoration are the last step. The lake will be drawn down in 2015 and 2016 and waterfowl use is expected to dramatically improve after the drawdown, so the Eagle Lake excitement will continue.

6 Page 6 Winter 2015 MN DU at the 50th Designated Wildlife Lake Ceremony Minnesota DU had an important role in the 50th Designated Wildlife Lake Ceremony. The ceremony was held on the shores of Eagle Lake in McLeod County, southwest of Hutchinson. It was a celebration to acknowledge the fact that Eagle Lake was the 50th designated wildlife lake in the state. DNR designates wildlife lakes to allow its staff to lower water level elevations on a lake periodically to improve wildlife habitat. It also allows them to regulate watercraft and recreational vehicles on the lake. DU had several staff and volunteers at the event and MN DU volunteer, Dave Flink was asked to speak at the event. MN DU has been encouraging DNR to pick up the pace of wildlife lake designations because it supports our lake enhancement work by allowing DU to provide structures on more lakes. DNR has responded accordingly by designating six lakes in The ceremony at Eagle Lake was a celebration of the recent efforts by DNR shallow lakes staff in increasing the number of designated wildlife lakes in Minnesota. MN DU State Council Chair and Regional Vice President Dave Flink speaks at the dedication ceremony. DNR Designated a Record Six Wildlife Lakes in DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr addresses the attendees about the importance of designating wildlife lakes. The Commissioner has been a strong supporter of the designated wildlife lake program. DU Director of Development Adam Dehaan (left), DU Regional Biologist Josh Kavanaugh, and Dave Flink present Cory Henke of the Buffalo Creek Watershed District with the Beyond the Call Award for his work bringing the project to fruition. DNR staff, DU Volunteers, DU staff and others group around the project sign for a photo opportunity.

7 Page 7 Minnesota Artists Corner Cherie Serrano A nationally recognized artist who claims northern Minnesota as home. Wild Wings, the country s leading publisher of the most renowned fine art and wildlife painters, began printing Serrano work when she was only 19 years old. Now, twenty years later, her work has been printed on a wide range of products, in addition to limited and unlimited prints. She is known for her exquisite eye for mood, depth, and capturing of light. Of her work, others have said, it s as if the viewers can put their hands in the water or step into the painting. Born in Canada, Serrano makes her home with her family on Rainy Lake in northern Minnesota. Much of her inspiration comes from her time spent at her island cabin, whether it s a serene sunset or an impending storm. Artwork provided courtesy of Cherie Serrano and Wild Wings, LLC, Lake City, Minnesota At right: Fall Colors Many of Brandt s paintings are barn scenes, such as this example titled, A Century of Autumns. Above: True Fishermen At right: Beside Still Waters

8 Page 8 Winter 2015 Project Hall of Fame Anderson Lake WMA The Anderson Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA), another of Ducks Unlimited s fledgling projects, was constructed in It is located in western Lincoln County near Ivanhoe, MN, just south of State Highway 19. The Anderson Lake WMA is listed at 255 acres at full pool with a 1,000- acre contributing watershed. The water control structure consists of an 88- foot long (1,800 square feet) steel sheet pile weir with six stoplog bays having a total clear opening of 28 feet. The 5-foot height of the stoplogs in each bay can be removed for dewatering and management purposes. A 200-foot wide emergency spillway was excavated adjacent to the structure. Two hundred forty-seven cubic yards of riprap was placed and 4,150 cubic yards of channel excavation completed. Ducks Unlimited contracted with KBM, Inc. of Grand Forks, ND to conduct the topographic survey and hydrologic analysis, and Ducks Unlimited Engineer, Paul Urban created the design and construction plans. The project was bid on in the fall of 1987, with a contract of $56,369 awarded to Sevcon, Inc. of Cokato, MN. Final construction and inspection was completed in November of the same year. The total project amount was $60,921.50, paid entirely by Ducks Unlimited funds. The Anderson Lake WMA boasts great hemi marsh conditions with several hundred ducks using it. Top right: When visited in early September, there were many ducks using the lake, while many others remained hidden in the emergent vegetation. Above: The water control structure has six bays for high water flows which can be adjusted independently. At right: Part of the Anderson Lake WMA project included cleaning the channel leading to the outlet.

9 Page 9 The History of Anderson Lake WMA Anderson Lake was drained by Lincoln County Ditch 37 in 1920 (see Ducks Unlimited cairn at the Anderson Lake access. map below). The ditch removed the surface water and changed the lake bed into a wet pasture. Adjoining landowners divided the lake bed and tried to farm it but periodic flooding, saturated soils, and early and late frosts made it poorly suited for crops. In 1956, Hiram Southwick, formerly the DNR Regional Wildlife Manager for southwestern Minnesota, purchased 60 acres of lake bed along with 58 acres of adjoining upland for the DNR s WMA program. Efforts were made to purchase the remainder of the lake bed from the two other owners but they were unwilling to sell. The County was adamant about not allowing DNR to purchase anymore lake bed. In 1979, the County proposed cleaning 16 miles of open ditch to improve agricultural drainage and make Anderson Lake more suitable for farming. DNR was assessed $34,000 in benefits for the land within the WMA. Tibor Gallo, Special Assistant Atty. General, successfully represented DNR in court and the benefits were dropped. Gallo then filed an injunction to halt the ditch. This gave The Nature Conservancy (TNC) time to acquire the majority of the basin from the Nottleman Estate. It also gave DNR s Bob Meyer and former Area Hydrologist Jeff Lewis more time to work on restoring the basin. One hundred acres of lake bed was still needed and the absentee landowners from Colorado were not interested in selling. After a personal phone call from Peter Coors, then national president of DU, the owners agreed to sell to TNC. Funds were raised from a variety of Anderson Lake WMA 2010 aerial view. Topo map showing drained condition. sources to repay TNC and the property was then gifted to DNR as the Anderson Lake WMA. Private funds were needed because Lincoln County would not grant a County Board Resolution so that State acquisition funds could be spent on the project. Eventually, Meyer and Lewis persuaded the County to allow the placement of a water control structure in CD 37 where it exited the lake and to not clean out that portion of the lake lying within the basin. The local topography allowed the lake to be refilled to a depth of 2.5 without affecting upstream landowners. An additional 3.5 of flood water can be stored during extreme flooding. This flood storage potential and the strong support of the Yellow Medicine River Watershed District were key in convincing the County to allow installation of the structure. This project site was viewed from a light aircraft by Meyer and the DU Mississippi Flyway Representative. DU then approved funding the water control structure as one of the first projects DU built in the U.S. The site was dedicated in the early 1990s with Kevin McHale and several other notable Minnesotans on the name plaque. Anderson Lake has had three drawdowns to maintain emergent vegetation and has been a popular hunting area and prime example of the benefits of water level management for the past 19 years. The most recent drawdown occurred in and water levels brought back up to full pool in Due to the recent drawdown, the lake was in a great hemi-marsh condition.

10 Page 10 Jon Schneider At The Legacy 5th Anniversary Celebration The partners involved in passing the Legacy Amendment, including Ducks Unlimited, held a celebration of five years of success for the Legacy Funds, including the Outdoor Heritage Fund, the Clean Water Fund, the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund, and the Parks & Trails Fund. The 5th Anniversary Celebration and Forum was held January 15, 2015 at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest. After a quick celebratory cake cutting, breakout sessions for the different funds were convened. The Outdoor Heritage Fund held three sessions with Jon Schneider, DU s Minnesota Conservation Program Manager, being the lead speaker for one of the sessions. Jon covered the work completed under the DU Living Lakes Initiative and how the Legacy funds are used for this initiative. Jon also covered the wild rice lake program, which DU runs in partnership with the Minnesota DNR. Because the Pheasants Forever speaker couldn t make it, Jon also gave the talk for our partner organization. He highlighted the joint projects that DU Jon presents his talk at The Legacy 5th Anniversary Celebration. and Pheasants Forever work on in the prairie pothole area, mainly the prairie pothole restoration projects accomplished with the Outdoor Heritage Funds. Jon also discussed the land protection projects DU has completed around shallow lakes around the state. Volunteer Spotlight Ruth Hoefs I farm, DU volunteer and Heritage Sponsor Ruth Hoefs states proudly. I own 350 acres and farm with two others; together we plant 1,200 acres. We have a mix of crops corn, soybeans, peas, wheat and hay in an area south of the Twin Cities. We have a mixed herd of beef cattle, brood cows and even some sheep. Ruth enjoys wildlife almost as much as farming. Her farm is near the Minnesota River, which is a significant migration corridor for waterfowl. There is a time and place for cropland and a time and place for potholes, she says. Too many potholes are being lost. There is a natural balance and when we change it too much there will be less for the future. Fifteen years ago, Ruth was invited to a DU banquet by a friend. They were looking for people to volunteer, so I did, Ruth says. I ve enjoyed making many, many friends. I serve as a regional vice-chair in southwest Minnesota, and I m very proud to be a volunteer. Ruth Hoefs--Le Center, Minnesota Ruth is pleased to see others support waterfowl conservation as well. There is a family close by that did a DU restoration project on their property, she says. It is fun to see the projects which are used by all sorts of animals. Fifty years from now I d like to see more wetlands restored to their natural condition. Many help combat climate change naturally. They were meant to be here, so we need to conserve and restore them. December strategic planning session

11 Page Minnesota DU State Convention Highlights The MN DU State Convention was held in Willmar on February 13 and 14, Former Senator Dennis Frederickson, the DNR Regional Director for Southern Minnesota talks about the DNR and DU partnership with the shallow lake program. DU Canada s CEO, Greg Siekaniec, (below) gave the keynote address at the Saturday Convention Banquet. John and Donna Pittenger are swarmed by several well wishers after being named the 2014 Landowski Leadership Award winners at the convention banquet. Patrick Patterson receiving the Tommy Nelson award from RD John Marks. The Fox Lake Conservation League contingent receive their Diamond Heritage Sponsor plaque for their $100,000 to DU. Russ and Deanna Klint receive their Heritage Sponsor plaque for their $50,000 commitment to Ducks Unlimited.

12 Glenwood, MN Man Wins New 2015 Chevy Truck in State Ducks Unlimited Fundraiser Josh and Melissa Wolf of Glenwood, Minnesota have been married just eight months, so winning a new 2015 Chevy Silverado 4x4 truck is like a big, belated wedding gift. We re just starting out together, so this makes a big difference in our lives, said the 32 year-old Wolf. He was one of hundreds of qualifiers attending Minnesota DU events over the past twelve months and one of five statewide finalists for a new 2015 Chevy Silverado 4x4 truck awarded Saturday, February 14, 2015 at the Minnesota Ducks Unlimited (DU) State Convention in Willmar, Minnesota. Wolf selected the winning key and is scheduled to take delivery of his new Chevy Silverado this month at Marthaler Chevrolet in Glenwood, Minnesota. Said Wolf, When I saw those truck lights go on and I won, I jumped about three feet in the air, raced onto the stage and picked up the emcee and threw him over my shoulder! Page 12 Josh Wolf works for Osakis Silo, Osakis, Minnesota supervising farm silo building and repairs. His wife, Melissa, is a licensed practical nurse (LPN) who will soon start a new job in Alexandria, Minnesota. My brother got me started in duck hunting and the outdoors when I was young. I got involved in the Minnewaska chapter of Minnesota Ducks Unlimited in Glenwood about 6-8 years ago, and have chaired our com- Josh Wolf, pictured with wife Melissa of Glenwood, MN, won a new 2015 Chevy Silverado 4x4 on February 14, 2015 at the Minnesota Ducks Unlimited State Convention in Willmar, MN. mittee most of those years. DU events are a great way to meet people who love the outdoors and support wetland conservation, said Wolf. This image, titled Gus, continues the program series featuring the artwork of Lee Thomas Kjos of Webster, Minnesota, one of America s leading sporting dog and outdoor photographers. It features black labrador, Gus, in a dramatic retrieving leap into the water over mallard decoys. The artwork is awarded at Minnesota Ducks Unlimited events in Artwork winners can qualify to win a new 2016 Chevy truck. Minnesota Chevrolet Dealers annually join together contributing a new Chevy Silverado 4x4 truck as a grand prize in the program. Attendees at Minnesota DU events can win specially commissioned artwork by one of America s leading outdoor and sporting dog photographers, Lee Kjos of Webster, Minnesota. Artwork winners can qualify to win the new truck. D.J. Raduenz, Stillwater Motors, Stillwater, Minnesota is president of the Select Heartland Chevrolet Dealers. Said Raduenz, Each Minnesota DU event works with a neighboring Chevrolet dealer. It s a perfect grassroots partnership. Helping DU volunteers raise dollars for wetland conservation at local events helps our dealers build great customer service relationships. He presented Minnesota DU a ceremonial check for $1,749,354 raised for wetland conservation since the program began in A 2016 Chevy Silverado 4x4 truck will be awarded in February 2016 to a person qualifying at a Ducks Unlimited event in Minnesota now through December Eighteen Chevrolet trucks have been awarded since the program began. Past Minnesota new Chevy Silverado winners include Mike Kuka, Maple Plain, MN (1998), Gary Ricard, Chat-

13 Glenwood, MN Man Wins New 2015 Chevy Truck in State Ducks Unlimited Fundraiser (Continued) Page 13 field, MN (1999), Jay Kimble, Stillwater, MN (2000), Patrick Doyle, Faribault, MN (2001), Marcia Gamer, Farmington, MN (2002), Mike Lidgerding, Wabasha, MN (2003), Ken Cryer, Bloomington, MN (2004), Tom Bollman, Pine Island, MN (2005), Perry Nodsle, Detroit Lakes, MN (2006), Spencer Gvam, Granite Falls, MN (2007), Tim Woelfel, Redwood Falls, MN (2008), Carrie Roble, Frazee, MN (2009), Ruth Hoefs, Le Centre, MN (2010), Colleen Patterson, North Mankato, MN (2011), Robyn Abner, Benson, MN (2012), Tamara Revier, Olivia, MN (2013), and Rachel Olson, Benson, MN (2014). Each $250 we raise translates into one more acre of wetland preserved for waterfowl and wildlife in North America, said Brian Ross, Min- Above: Dogs, Ducks and Chevy Trucks has raised $1,749,354 for Minnesota Ducks Unlimited wetland conservation efforts. Pictured here with a ceremonial check at the Minnesota DU State Convention in Willmar, MN on February 14, 2015 are (left) D.J. Raduenz, Stillwater Motors, Stillwater, MN and (right) Brian Ross, Minnesota Ducks Unlimited State Chair-Elect, Baxter, MN. At right: State Chair, Tim Roble, with Tom Brimahall of the Fergus Falls Chevrolet dealership, holding the ceremonial check. Below: Winner, Josh Wolf, pushes the key fab to win the Chevy Silverado 4x4 truck. Seconds later he jumped three feet in the air due to the excitement of winning the truck. nesota DU Chair-Elect, Baxter, MN. DU is the largest grassroots member conservation organization in Minnesota and consistently one of the top states in the nation raising dollars for wetlands. Minnesota DU has over 200 local chapters, conducts close to 250 fundraising events, and lists over 39,000 men, women, and youth as members. In the U.S., Ducks Unlimited has chapters in fifty states and a membership of over 773,000. Ducks Unlimited began in 1937 when lands in the North American waterfowl flyways, particularly the Midwest and Canadian Prairie Provinces, were drained and developed. DU counts close to sixty million acres protected for wetlands and waterfowl habitat in North America since the 1930 s.

14 You are Ducks Unlimited MINNESOTA DUCKSUNLIMITED 6101 Kaymar Drive Edina, MN Phone: Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres, thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. ducks.org For articles and inserts, please send to Editor: Brian Ross Memorywood Drive Baxter, MN Phone: bross@mnducksvolunteer.org Tundra swans love the improved habitat conditions due to the DU project on Lake Christina in Douglas County. This photograph shows some of the hundreds of tundra swans using he lake on November 8, 2014, a day before the big snowstorm and cold weather that smacked the state on November 10th. The tundra swans were using the lake because of the extensive beds of sago pondweed, one of their favorite fall migration foods; rafts of diving ducks were also seen using the lake on that date. For information about the project, see the Lake Christina Comeback article in the Winter 2014 at: 20Winter%202014%20Newsletter%20-%20Lake%20Christina%20Comeback.pdf VOLUNTEERVOLUNTEER