Welcome to the Lake Charlotte, Wright County, MN website! We hope you find this site informative and entertaining. Any suggestions or concerns, pictures, etc. can be emailed to us at lakecharlotte@gmail.com
Latest News from Lake Charlotte Lake Level and Pumping Update 2020 On May 11, the lake level reading was 955.3 feet above sea level, which is about 1.4 feet above the minimum pumping level of 953.9, The pump was turned on March 28 while there was still ice on the lake and has been running nonstop since. Slow-No Wake Zone The seasonal slow-no wake zone reads as follows for Lake Charlotte: "No person shall operate a motorboat, including seaplanes, in excess of slow-no wake speed within 150 feet of the shoreline, 24 hours a day, between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day unless launching or landing skiers directly to or from open water." The full amendment can be viewed here. More information on the 150-foot zone is on our Protecting our Resource page. 2020 EWM Treatment Notice and Waiver This website and an email to Lake Charlotte residents serves as notice for Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) treatment planned in 2020. At the bottom of this page is a link to "Charlotte 2020 Waiver Notice.docx" containing more information. Zebra Mussel Monitoring We are still zebra-free and monitoring at a few spots around the lake, including near the public access. Send an email to the address at the top of this page if interested in hanging a monitor unit off your dock and checking every couple weeks in the summer. FREE Decontamination Station Are you buying, selling, or transporting any equipment to or from Lake Charlotte? There is now a FREE Aquatic Invasive Species Decontamination Station nearby in Annandale. More info, including hours, are provided at Wright SWCD. Don't take a chance! Be part of the solution! Decontaminate! --------------------------------------------------------- Eurasian Watermilfoil Treatment 2019 Please be advised our invasive species management contractor, PLM, will be treating Eurasian watermilfoil at different areas around the lake this week on Wednesday, July 17 (rescheduled from July 10 due to weather). There are no swimming restrictions. The only restrictions following the treatment are on watering, as follows: Food Crops...3 days Ornamental...3 days Turf...No Restrictions Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) Management The Lake Charlotte Improvement District (LID) board approved research and retention of an invasive species management company to contract with to help us manage our EWM infestation. The LID selected and approved a proposal by PLM Lake & Land Management Corp. (plmcorp.net) located in Brainerd MN. PLM has an excellent reputation and had done work on several lakes in the immediate area as well as many around the state in invasive plant management. Next steps include applying for permits and grants, and arranging for a first EWM delineation survey to be performed a few weeks after ice-out. EWM Found in Lake Charlotte, November 2014 The MN DNR reports Eurasian watermilfoil was confirmed rooted near the public water access in Lake Charlotte on November 3, 2014. The DNR states that since it is so late in the growing season, there is not a good understanding of the abundance or distribution of the plant, as most plants have decayed or are dormant. The recommendation is to have the lake organizations meet this winter and re-evaluate the abundance and distribution in the spring. There may be manual removal or chemical treatment methods to consider with DNR guidance. Other member lakes of the Wright County Coalition of Lake Associations have also been contacted for their experiences with early detection and treatment protocols. The DNR will be installing orange invasive species alert signs at the access for public awareness. See the attachment at the bottom of this page for Eurasian versus Northern watermilfoil identification. High Lake Level in 2014 Lake levels in 2014 were some of the highest seen in many years. The highest reading was June 24 at 956.0, a whopping 25 inches above our minimum pumping level of 953.9 feet! Fish Consumption Guidelines The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has added Lake Charlotte to the state's Impaired Waters list due to mercury in fish tissue. There are no restrictions for the general population for the consumption of Charlotte's panfish. MPCA assessment information can be found here and an Excel spreadsheet of consumption guidelines is linked at the bottom of this page. Lake Quality Reports Secchi disk water clarity readings in recent years have ranged from 30 feet (May 2011) to 10 feet (August 2014), with summer means ranging from 13.7 feet to 21.6 feet. See more lake quality data posted on the Lake Information page. Lake Charlotte Logo T-shirts and Polos Courtesy of Doreen Larson and her amazing Lake Charlotte logo, we now have t-shirts and polo shirts for sale. Doreen is taking orders, but we have a few for sale right now!! Please contact Doreen at DMLarson957@aol.com to either purchase what she has in inventory or put your order in. Costs for men's/women's are $12 to $14 for tees and $25 to $27 for polos from S to XXL, in white, navy and burgundy colors. Navy blue kids' tees will be for sale at the fishing contest. Lake Charlotte History We have added a fascinating section on Lake Charlotte history, courtesy of the late Loel Bertrand, who will be sorely missed. Volunteer Water Patrol Wright County Sheriff's Department is looking for volunteers on Lake Charlotte. Click here for more information. |
Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!
As you or your guests transport boats into and out of Lake Charlotte, please remember to abide by Minnesota State Laws regarding the prohibited transport of bilge/bait water, aquatic plants, and invasive species. Zebra mussels have been spreading rampantly as nearby as Lake Minnetonka. Lake Charlotte has confirmed presence of Eurasian watermilfoil and Curly-leaf pondweed. Do your part to protect our waters!
