Some debris at the Dam on West Deer Lake Road was thought to be a hindrance; it has been cleared. There is another small lake, called Bay Lake, between Deer Lake and the Dam on West Deer Lake Road. Both Deer and the Creek from Moose and Little Moose flow into this intermediary Bay Lake, and then together as the headwaters of the Deer River to the Dam. Waters from the north (Moose and many smaller lakes) do not flow into Deer Lake, but from Bay, with Deer, along the Deer Rive to the Dam. Although the elevations between Moose, Deer, Bay and the Dam are slight, the flow includes no mixing of Deer and Moose Lake waters. This is important because Moose Lake has been infected by Zebra Mussels.
The hydrology graph of the lake water level is a 10 year measurement that concludes with the end of 2024 (ICE-IN: very low at 1307.55), followed by the DNR’s re-establishment of the lake water level gauge for 2025, after ICE-OUT. With the snow melt in the lake for the Spring of 2025, the level was 1.05 feet higher, at 1308.60. Since then rains have increased the level substantially from where it leaves off on the graph. The record high we have had in June and July 2025, would be in excess of the top of this graph at 1309.00+. Water levels will continue to be monitored throughout the season till ICE-IN.
Of interest is the increasing variance between high and low lake levels.
FIREWISE PICKUP DATES: AUGUST 7TH AND 8TH!
Hello DLA members,
Our Firewise brush pickup is scheduled for Aug 7th and 8th. Please have your brush piles stacked and tagged with Bright Ribbons. Best practice recommendation to observe “right-of-way” ordinance accommodating both County workers and One Two Trees contractor’s grappling hook is to place your pile 15 feet back from the shoulder of the road (as practical).
Thank you all for your diligence in getting information to us quickly for this important project. If you need a brush pick up and have not yet let us know, please get that information in to us by end of day Friday, Aug 1.
To participate, you must be a DLA member, register with our coordinators Jess and Beth, and fill out the matching hours form. TO ENTER HOURS INTO THE FIREWISE FORM, CLICK HERE.
Questions? More information HERE: https://deerlakeassociation.org/firewise/
Firewise Contacts:
Beth: 320-492-9595 briesgraf1952@gmail.com
Jessica: 763-360-2617 jessica.l.loes@gmail.com
Don’t end up like this environmental mess!
The Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offers FREE site visits to discuss the best shoreland projects, provide technical advice and cost-share funding. Contact Austin at austin.steere@itascaswcd.org
The last few islands of ice blew around the lake until they disappeared, leaving some of the usual destruction on the shore, here and there.
Looks like the big melt around Christmas has smoothed out the ice for skating, while the wind has blown the light snow into a maze of dunes to skate around and about!
2024
DLA Bear Island Trail Maintenance
June 7 – Friday 9:00 AM
July 5 – Friday 9:00 AM
August 2 – Friday 9:00 AM
(In the event of rain – meet the following Saturday)
Coordinated again this year by Paul Askegaard: 651-230-3361; askeupnorth@gmail.com
Bear Island was donated to the State of MN by DLA, who purchased it with donations from lake residents plus State matching funds. Once a month during the summer, DLA members spend about 1 hour keeping the walking trail open and removing trash. RSVP not necessary, just arrive on the south end of the Island at 9am on the scheduled day. If conditions are questionable, call Paul at 651-230-3361. Please volunteer, especially if we have had a bad storm during the month. Bring gloves, wear long pants and bug spray, and bring any equipment you have: gloves, chain saw, clippers, loppers, picaroon, small hand saw, garbage bag, and BUG SPRAY!. Paul will provide coffee/donuts.
Hope to see you there!
IF QUESTIONS, call Paul at 651-230-3361 askeupnorth@gmail.com
Burning Trash, like in the old days, is not a good idea. It stinks up the neighborhood, and in fact, it is illegal in Minnesota by law. Burning construction debris is also forbidden. Trash and construction debris should be taken to the County landfills, which also accept recycling. The transfer station on County Road 62 north of Cohasset is the closest to Deer Lake. You must purchase your Dump Tickets elsewhere, however, since they are not sold at the station itself. There are also commercial haulers who can pick up your trash by contract.
Burning Brush, on the other hand, is legal, but only with a permit, and only under several conditions. Far better to pile your brush for the FireWise brush pickup program on Deer Lake!
Some Links:
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/firewise/index.html
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mcvmagazine/issues/2016/may-jun/illegal-burning.html
