8.b Wake regulations on Goose LakeSCANDIA
DATE: April 17, 2020
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Ken Cammilleri, City Administrator
RE: Local Surface Use Zoning on Goose Lake
The City has recently received a request regarding whether or not it would consider adopting slow no
wake restrictions on Goose Lake for high water levels.
The latest water level reading for Goose Lake from September 3, 2019, was at elevation 982.58 feet
(NGVD 1929). The lake has been up about 2 — 2.5 feet this year over the readings taken in 2018. The
ordinary high water level (OHWL) for Goose Lake is 983.9 feet (NGVD 1929) and the body of
water is landlocked. It has no discharge points or water level management systems.
Any ordinances proposed by the local unit of government must have a hearing and be approved by
the DNR before they can go into effect. At this point, staff is currently in contact with the DNR
regarding this issue.
Staff will be inquiring as to whether or not it would be appropriate to impose slow no wake
restrictions at a particular high water level.
So far, we have obtained feedback from the DNR Conservation Officer and the Sheriff's
Department regarding their concerns or issues with considering such regulations. Both agencies
would be responsible for enforcement if a regulation were to be implemented. Their feedback is
available in this packet.
At this time staff is looking for any City Council feedback regarding this project.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
City of Scandia
14727 2091h St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433-2274 Fax (651) 433-5112 http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us
Page 1 of 1
k.cammilleri
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Nice explanation Sgt Gribble.
Arntzen, Scott (DNR) <scott.arntzen@state.mn.us>
Thursday, April 9, 2020 10:59 AM
k.cammilleri; Jim Gribble
david.peters@co.washington.mn.us
RE: Regulation of waterways...
Yes, I would be able to help out with any enforcement concerns as well.
Scott
From: k.cammilleri <k.cammilleri@ci.scandia.mn.us>
Sent: Thursday, April 9, 2020 10:32 AM
To: Jim Gribble <Jim.Gribble@co.washington.mn.us>; Arntzen, Scott (DNR) <scott.arntzen@state.mn.us>
Cc: david.peters@co.washington.mn.us
Subject: RE: Regulation of waterways...
This message may be from an external email source.
Do not select links or open attachments unless verified. Report all suspicious emails to Minnesota IT Services Security Operations Center.
Thank you for your feedback, Sir!
Sincerely,
Ken Cammilleri I City Administrator
City of Scandia
14727 209th Street N, Scandia, MN 55073
'7 'J �� ,+� P 651.433.22741 C 651.245.2654 1 F 651.433.5112
SCA DU k.cammilleri(cDci.scandia.mn.us
www.ci.scandia.mn.us
From: Jim Gribble [mailto:Jim.Gribble@co.washington.mn.us]
Sent: Wednesday, April 8, 2020 7:41 PM
To: k.cammilleri <k.cammilleri@ci.scandia.mn.us>; Scott.Arntzen@state.mn.us
Cc: david.peters@co.washington.mn.us
Subject: Re: Regulation of waterways...
Mayor,
The idea of a no -wake at high water levels is already in place on several county lakes and the river.
The city has to undergo a process and then approval by the state. It should be painless as the Lake is
entirely within Scandia so you will not need more than just the City's action to move. The process is
spelled out on the DNR
website https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/boatwater/surfaceusezoning.html .
Given Goose Lake is entirely visible from the ramp, a deputy in a squad should be able to see the
entire lake, and waive over any violators. From their they can educate or citate as
necessary. Given that the vast majority of boaters who visit the smaller lakes are fishermen signage
of an ordinance will probably cure 95% of the issue.
A word of caution about trying to compromise between no -wake and the existing open speed
practice. Anything above no wake will cause the greatest damage. I bring this up because some
locations have attempted a 15 mph speed limit. The issue is that that speed is not enough for larger
boats to efficiently plane and they cause the greatest wake (and damage) at that speed.
It is common in Maine and also in Washington state that allows boats with limited horsepower (and
the weight that a small motor (10-15 hp) can push) to have no restrictions and larger motors to
always be under a no -wake restriction. The river should have been managed in such a fashion,
because now the limited speed only causes the bigger boats to plow a lot of water causing the
greatist damage.
Council member Cusick has extensive knowledge of the process, and if you would like I could
address the council based on my experience in the Coast Guard.
Whatever the steps you wish to take, Washington County should be able to assist with enforcement
on that small lake.
Sergeant James Gribble
Washington County Sherifrs Office
15015 62nd St N.
PO Box 3801
Stillwater MN 55082
Jim. Gribbl e@CO . Wa shinc[Lon . MN. US
Tel 651 430-7857
Fax 651 430-7878
From: k.cammilleri <k.cammilleri@ci.scandia.mn.us>
Sent: Wednesday, April 8, 2020 17:09
To: Jim Gribble; Scott.Arntzen@state.mn.us
Cc: David Peters
Subject: Regulation of waterways...
Sergeant Gribble and Officer Arntzen,
The City of Scandia recently received an inquiry from a resident asking the City to consider imposing wake restrictions on
Goose Lake. As you know, right now we simply post speed and wake advisories at the launch. However, if we work
looking to initiate local surface use zoning to impose such regulations, we would definitely like to know if either of your
departments have any issues with the idea of enforcing such regulations or if there are any issues you might have with
implementing any type enforcement.
The root of the concern stems from the high water levels and some neighbors concern regarding damage to shore.
Please let me know what your thoughts and comments are.
Sincerely,
Ken Cammilleri I City Administrator
City of Scandia
14727 209th Street N, Scandia, MN 55073
P 651.433.22741 C 651.245.2654 1 F 651.433.5112
SCAU k.cammiIIeri@ci.scandia.mn.us
www.ci.scandia.mn.us