Lake Residents

This webage serves as a clearinghouse of information and resources for all lake residents. Find information on lake associations in the area, data about the lake in your backyard, and what efforts the District is doing to protect lake health.

If you live on a lake, consider joining your lake association to be aware of the latest lake news and how to protect your lake. Lake associations are typically independent, non-profit organizations that bring together lake property owners. The focus for each association varies and may include lake clean-up events, social activities, lake health education, and aquatic plant management. Most lake associations are in contact with RPBCWD staff and the city water resources department so that they can share information and explore potential partnership opportunities.

Check out the list of lake associations.

Information for Lake Residents

The easiest way to stay informed about lake-related news is to sign up for the RPBCWD newsletter or sign up to receive notifications for specific lakes at rpbcwd.org/newsletter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to do work on or near my shoreline?

You likely need a permit if you're disturbing land below the Ordinary High Water Line or the 100-year Flood Elevation. Learn more on our Shoreline Permit page.

You'll also need a permit If you're disturbing, adding, or removing 50 cubic yards of earth or altering 5,000 square feet or more of surface area anywhere on your property. Learn more on the Permits page and Permits FAQ.

Can I add riprap to my shoreline?

A permit application and review is needed before riprap is installed on a shoreline. However, you should instead consider restoring your shoreline with native vegetation instead of riprap. Not only can properly installed native vegetation protect a shoreline from erosion, it also enhances shoreline beauty and contributes to better water quality in your lake. Also, you can get grant money from RPBCWD to help pay for a natural shoreline restoration with native vegetation!

Riprap and retaining walls can reduce erosion, but they can also be expensive and contribute nothing to lake health. In fact, they can be detrimental in that they do nothing to prevent rainwater runoff from carrying pollution into the lake.

Regardless of the method used to stabilize your shoreline, a permit will likely be required from RPBCWD. If you have existing riprap that was placed with an RPBCWD permit or existing riprap that was placed prior to the shoreline stabilization rule going into effect in 2015, you will be able to repair the existing riprap provided it meets the criteria set forth in District Rules (Rule F, Section 3).

For shorelines which do not have existing riprap, you will need to demonstrate that the erosive forces acting upon the shore warrant the need for riprap. This can be done using the RPBCWD erosion intensity worksheet. Learn more about shoreline permits.

Can I remove lake vegetation?

No, unless you get a permit from the DNR. Aquatic plants in public waters (this includes most lakes) are property of the state. Because of their value to the lake ecosystem, aquatic plants may not be removed without authorization by the DNR. A permit to physically remove some types of aquatic plants may not be needed in some situations.

Visit our aquatic plants page
Visit the DNR aquatic plant regulations page (external link)

Can I add a sandy beach to my shoreline?

No, unless you get a permit from the watershed district. Learn more on our Shoreline Permit page.

How can I stay informed about lakes in the District?

RPBCWD offers multiple ways to stay informed.

Why doesn't RPBCWD manage "lake weeds?"

What some may call "weeds" help keep a lake healthy by removing pollutants from the water, adding oxygen to the water, and providing habitat for many aquatic organisms including fish. Learn more about aquatic plants.

The District's purpose is to protect and restore water resources. Native aquatic plants such as White Water Lily, bulrushes, and pondweeds are important components of a lake ecosystem. The MN DNR restricts the removal of aquatic plants in lakes; learn more about what is/isn't allowed on the DNR Aquatic Plant Management page.

The District does some limited control of invasive aquatic plants such as Eurasian Watermilfoil and Curly-leaf Pondweed. The purpose of this control is to benefit lake health and promote native aquatic plants. Learn more.

Natural Shorelines are Best for Lake Health

A lake is a natural ecosystem, not a swimming pool. A natural shoreline of native plants including wildflowers, sedges, grasses, shrubs, and trees provide protection against soil erosion from both wave action and stormwater runoff. Many wildlife species also rely on natural shorelines for habitat, and in-water native plants provide spawning areas for fish and nurseries for young fish to hide from predators.

Healthy lakes are good for everyone! They provide multiple ecosystem services including:

Clean water for aquatic recreation such as fishing, kayaking, and swimming
Local climate regulation through evaporation and other interactions
Hydrologic regulation (flood control, groundwater interaction, etc.)
Habitat for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife
Food source for humans (fish, mussels, etc.)
Sediment and nutrient (pollution) retention and processing

Consider restoring at least a portion of your shoreline to a natural condition. RPBCWD offers a generous grant program for natural shoreline restorations!

Score Your Shore

The Minnesota DNR developed the "Score The Shore" method to provide an overall score for a lake's shoreline. A DNR surveyor collects lakeshore data by boat at evenly distributed survey points. At each survey point, the shore is scored for several features including percent of natural vegetation in the upland, shoreline, and aquatic zones. A lake with a more naturally-vegetated shoreland provides more habitat and will score higher than a lake that is highly developed.

The DNR also put put together a simplifed version of their method for lakeshore residents (or lake associations) to use to evaluate individual shorelines. This tool, called Score Your Shore, enables the user to assess the amount of habitat on a shoreline. Materials included in the Score Your Shore tool include a user manual, quick guide, and a training PowerPoint.

RPBCWD Shoreland Health Scores

RPBCWD staff used a modified version of the DNR "Score The Shore" method to evaluate lakeshores in our district. Our data provides an overall lake score and also provides a score for each individual property. Learn more and find out your Shoreland Health Score!