Rice Lake Boat Ramp Bay Channel Dredging Project                                                                                                       1/27/2011

Objective: During average or low water levels, the channel between the main lake and the "boat ramp bay" has been too shallow to navigate. Water depths for this area vary from 3 feet down to just over 1 foot. Many boats hit bottom and may not be able to navigate the channel.

The Rice Lake Area Association Board of Directors is working with the City of Maple Grove to have them contract their excavator to dig out the channel by removing 18" (1.5 feet) of sediment in an area covering 12' x 100'. This would increase the minimum depth to at least 2.5 feet.

(NOTE: To our knowledge, this area has never been dredged in the past. There are two (2) large storm drains which empty into this bay on the East side.)

Channel depths are less then 2' (2nd lightest shade of blue) in the entrance to the bay. All boats using the only trailered launch on the lake must pass through this channel.

This channel has never been dredged in the past.

Slope of 4:1 (or even 5:1) will be maintained during this dredging project.

Map and notations done by George Schneider (RLAA)

Project Requirements

Task Description

1.       Obtain approval from each of the bordering shoreline property residents in order to submit the permits to the DNR

2.       Mark off area to be cleared/dredged

a.       Ice thickness was 18" in channel as of 12/28/10

3.       Clear off area of snow for now up until dredging time

4.       Clarify outstanding questions needed for permit with City:

a.       Ice thickness required for dredge work

b.       Cubic yards to be removed

c.       Can removed material be used to build up south side entrance shoreline?

5.       Complete paperwork for DNR Approval

a.       Public Water Work Permit Application

b.       PAFreeForm.pdf (application fees)

6.       Coordinate when work to be done with City

6' steel posts driven into the ice mark the perimeter of the area to be cleared, and eventually dredged.

A path 10' wide running from the boat launch ramp to this cleared area will need to be maintained to support the excavation equipment.

Ice thickness as of 12/28/10 was 18" within this perimeter.

Final Project Summary

Request was withdrawn to DNR on January 27, 2010 since there was not 100% resident approval by those whose property would be adjacent to the dredged area. Reason for non-approval was fear of losing more shoreline to an excavation work.

DNR also stated there was not enough detailed project information submitted to allow for a permit to be approved.

RLAA will revisit this need to dredge in the future.

Reminders to boaters

·         Please remember to use caution when navigating the area, especially during low water periods.

·         Remember to follow lake boating rules about no wake within 100' of any shoreline. This was also listed as a concern by several area residents when this dredging project was introduced.