Ten Mile Lake Watershed Protection
Success Through Collaboration
Conservation Goal Met
The protection and preservation of northern Minnesota's cold-water lakes, particularly Ten Mile Lake in Cass County, exemplifies the power of collaboration among Federal, State and local governments; nonprofit organizations; lake associations; and landowners. This collective effort has been bolstered by the financial support from the State of Minnesota’s Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment Funds, an important source of grant funding in these conservation efforts.
Ten Mile Lake: A Refuge for Cold-Water Species
Ten Mile Lake, located in Cass County, is Minnesota’s third-deepest lake with a maximum depth of 209 feet, a surface area of 4,669 acres, and over 21 miles of shoreline.
It serves as a refuge for cold-water species like tullibee (cisco), a vital prey for walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, lake trout, and Minnesota’s iconic loons. The lake's cold, oxygen-rich waters, typical of deep basins and healthy watersheds, support a vulnerable ecosystem found in northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.
Ten Mile Lake is recognized for its rich variety of aquatic species including a large population of dwarf cisco, and due to extensive monitoring efforts. Additionally, it is the source of the Boy River, which flows through Boy Lake, Woman Lake, and eventually joins the Leech Lake River before flowing into the Mississippi River, which provides drinking water to communities downstream including St. Cloud and the metro area.
Watershed Protection Achieved Through Strategic Planning
The Ten Mile Lake watershed, spanning 24,828 acres (about the size of St. Paul), is critical for water quality and habitat protection. In 2013, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) set a goal to ensure at least 75% of watershed areas are under permanent protection in its Fish Habitat Plan; A Strategic Guidance Document. This benchmark is crucial for safeguarding the ecological integrity of cold-water lakes like Ten Mile.
This goal has been achieved for Ten Mile Lake through combined efforts from Federal, State, County, and local partners. Approximately 48% of the watershed is publicly owned and protected as National, State, and County Forests. Protected lands, including 373 acres under conservation easements facilitated by various organizations including Cass County Soil and Water Conservation District, Minnesota Land Trust, and DNR Forests for the Future, represent the diversity of protection efforts in the watershed.
Graphic from: Leech Lake River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan
Forests within these protected areas play a vital role in creating resilient ecosystems in the face of changing landscapes. They produce oxygen, retain groundwater, and store carbon dioxide. Forests also act as natural water filters, trapping pollutants and sediments and reducing runoff into our lakes and rivers, which helps preserve water quality. This filtration process is vital for maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems, as clean water supports diverse plant and animal life.
Connecting undeveloped lands enhances wildlife movement and promotes genetic diversity, further strengthening ecosystem resilience. These interconnected areas can better withstand environmental changes, such as development and climate change, ensuring the sustainability of natural resources. Intact forests are fundamental to sustaining water quality and healthy aquatic and terrestrial wildlife habitat, which greatly contribute to the outdoor recreation economy in northern Minnesota.
Role of Grant Funding in Conservation Success
The success of the Ten Mile Lake watershed protection initiative was possible in part due to grant funding through the Outdoor Heritage Fund, established by the Minnesota Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. These funds have enabled the purchase of conservation easements and land acquisitions for conservation purposes, ensuring large areas of the watershed remain undeveloped and permanently protected.
Critical to the protection efforts in Ten Mile Lake Watershed and other northern watersheds since 2008 is the Outdoor Heritage Fund which was created when Minnesota voters passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution. These funds "may be spent only to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands, prairies, forest and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife."
Landowner and Lake Association Role in Watershed Protection
Private landowners have been crucial in supporting these initiatives by donating or selling land or conservation easements. Ten Mile Lake Association has made significant contributions, acquiring 84 acres and 3,800 feet of shoreline for protection since 1998. Key projects include the protection of the Kenfield Bay property, now designated as a preserved Aquatic Management Area.
Key Projects: Conservation Easements
Several critical conservation projects have contributed to the protection of Ten Mile Lake’s watershed:
- Lundstrom’s Bay: A conservation easement restricts further development, preserving 62 acres and 2,700 feet of shoreline in this vital area of the lake.
- Kenfield Bay: Approximately 122 acres of forested watershed land to the northwest of Kenfield Bay are protected through a conservation easement and DNR Forest Management Plan, ensuring the long-term health of this critical watershed area.
- Flowerpot Bay: A conservation easement has preserved 2.5 acres and 243 feet of undeveloped shoreline in Flowerpot Bay, maintaining the natural state of this important shoreline.
- Lundstrom Bay (East): A Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (RIM) easement has secured the protection of 9.6 acres of land to the east of Lundstrom Bay, contributing further to the area’s ecological integrity.
- Flowerpot Bay (Near): Approximately 100 acres of land near Flowerpot Bay have been preserved through the Sustainable Forest Initiative Act, promoting sustainable forest management and conservation.
- Lower Ten Mile Lake Road & Boy River: A significant conservation easement protects 107 acres east of Lower Ten Mile Lake Road, adjacent to the Boy River, safeguarding a crucial area for water quality and habitat connectivity.
Key Projects: Land Acquisitions
A number of land acquisition projects have been instrumental in the permanent protection of the Ten Mile Lake watershed, made possible through a combination of public and private funding, as well as generous donations:
- 1987: 2.9 acres were donated to the Ten Mile Lake Association (TMLA), marking one of the earliest efforts to conserve the lake's natural environment.
- 1994: Another significant donation of 16.45 acres was made to TMLA, further expanding the protected areas around the lake.
- 1998-2003: Over this period, TMLA purchased 14 acres, strategically securing important parcels of land to safeguard the watershed.
- 2000: A donation of 5.69 acres to TMLA added to the growing network of protected lands.
- 2001: Northern Waters Land Trust purchased 14 acres, which were later conveyed to TMLA, continuing the collaborative efforts to protect vital areas.
- 2000: A donation of 5.69 acres to TMLA added to the growing network of protected lands.
- 2001: Northern Waters Land Trust purchased 14 acres, which were later conveyed to TMLA, continuing the collaborative efforts to protect vital areas.
- 2003: 18 acres were donated to Northern Waters Land Trust and subsequently conveyed to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to be managed as an Aquatic Management Area, ensuring the land's conservation in perpetuity.
- 2004: Another 18 acres were donated to Northern Waters Land Trust and transferred to the United States Forest Service in 2018, enhancing federal conservation initiatives within the watershed.
- 2012: TMLA purchased 31.21 acres, further solidifying its commitment to the long-term protection of the lake and its surrounding environment.
- 2020: The DNR, with crucial assistance from a TMLA donation, purchased 3.66 acres for management as an Aquatic Management Area, reinforcing the ongoing efforts to protect the watershed's ecological integrity.
Various land donations and purchases, facilitated by Northern Waters Land Trust, expanded the network of protected lands around Ten Mile Lake. Notable acquisitions include a property in 2001 that contains natural springs, which provide about one-third of the recharge water for Ten Mile Lake and a property with 1,000 feet of shoreline on Flowerpot Bay that was transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for long term management in 2018.
These acquisitions highlight the significant impact that strategic land protection can have on preserving the natural resources and water quality of Ten Mile Lake for future generations.
Vital Role of Springs
Springs are necessary as they bring groundwater to the surface, are essential water sources that support diverse plant and animal life and contribute to the health of the lake they feed. Springs and their unique waters and ecosystems are highly susceptible to degradation from over-extraction and pollution. Protecting these springs is vital for maintaining water quality and sustaining the aquatic ecosystems they support.
Special Designation: Sentinel Lake
Sentinel lakes in Minnesota are a select group of lakes that serve as indicators of the overall health of the state’s aquatic ecosystems. These lakes are closely monitored by scientists to track changes in water quality, biological communities, and environmental conditions over time. The Sentinel Lakes Program was established to provide early warnings about the impacts of stressors such as climate change, land use changes, and pollution. By studying these lakes, researchers can gain valuable insights into the broader environmental trends affecting all lakes in the region and develop strategies for managing and protecting these vital resources.
Ten Mile Lake is designated as a Sentinel Lake due to its unique ecological characteristics and its importance as a cold-water refuge in northern Minnesota. As one of the deepest lakes in the state, Ten Mile Lake provides critical habitat for species like tullibee to thrive.
As one of the deepest lakes in the state, Ten Mile Lake provides critical habitat for species like tullibee to thrive. The lake’s rich biodiversity, pristine water quality, and role as the headwaters of the Boy River make it an ideal candidate for long-term ecological monitoring. By studying Ten Mile Lake, researchers can better understand how environmental changes are affecting similar cold-water lakes across Minnesota, allowing for more informed conservation and management decisions that benefit the entire region.
Special Designation: Lake of Outstanding Biological Significance
Lake of Outstanding Biological Significance (LOBS) is a designation given to lakes that possess exceptional ecological characteristics, making them vital to the biodiversity and environmental health of their regions. These lakes are identified based on a variety of criteria, including the presence of rare or endangered species, high water quality, diverse aquatic plant communities, and critical habitat for fish and wildlife. The LOBS designation is a recognition of the lake's unique ecological value and the importance of preserving its natural state.
Ten Mile Lake is classified as a LOBS lake underscoring its significance as a refuge for cold-water species and its role in supporting a rich variety of aquatic life. Protecting these lakes is a priority for environmental stewardship, as these bodies of water are irreplaceable natural resources that contribute to the ecological integrity of the entire region.
Role of Natural Shorelines for Water Quality and Wildlife Diversity
Lakes of Outstanding Biological Significance (LOBS) are not only recognized for their exceptional ecological characteristics but also for their natural shorelines. Natural shorelines, which are often characterized by native vegetation, undisturbed habitats, and minimal human development, are essential to the ecological integrity of these lakes. They act as natural buffers, filtering pollutants and sediments from runoff before they enter the water, protecting water quality. Additionally, natural shorelines provide crucial habitats for a wide range of aquatic and terrestrial species such as loons, offering breeding grounds, shelter, and food sources that are vital for maintaining biodiversity.
Conservation efforts within the LOBS program emphasize the protection and restoration of these natural shorelines. By preserving the natural state of the shoreline, we help to maintain the complex interactions between land and water that are necessary for a healthy ecosystem. Protecting these shorelines is a key strategy in ensuring that LOBS continue to serve as refuges for diverse plant and animal life, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the region’s natural resources.
Special Designation: Tullibee Refuge Lake
Tullibee refuge lakes are a specialized subset of Minnesota’s Lakes of Outstanding Biological Significance (LOBS), recognized for their unique role in preserving cold-water species, particularly the tullibee (cisco). As LOBS, tullibee refuge lakes are distinguished by their exceptional ecological characteristics and are prioritized for conservation efforts due to their irreplaceable role in sustaining the biodiversity of northern Minnesota’s waters. Ensuring the long-term health of tullibee refuge lakes through strategic conservation efforts is a key component of safeguarding Minnesota’s natural heritage.
Looking Forward: Sustaining Our Success
Reaching the 75% watershed protection milestone is a significant achievement, but continued efforts are needed to maintain this level of protection. Ongoing attention is required to maintain this level of protection and to address new challenges, such as increasing phosphorus levels from land use and more frequent and severe rain events that contribute to stream-bank erosion. Phosphorous increases algae in the water which in turn decreases plant growth, water clarity and the recreational value of the lake.
We also need to protect lakes in the watershed from stressors such as more severe and frequent rain events which flush phosphorous into streams and lakes. Streams and rivers are more likely to experience stream-bank erosion with these rain events. The Leech Lake River Comprehensive Water Management Plan provides a thorough overview of the threats and remedies for this larger Leech Lake River watershed.
Where do we go from here?
Ongoing collaboration among nonprofits, government agencies, and local stakeholders is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Ten Mile Lake watershed and the broader region.
Together, we can continue to protect the natural resources that define this region, preserving these pristine lakes and their watersheds for future generations.