by Tom Cox, Chair, Water Level Committee

Ten Mile's water level stayed low in 2004, only catching up with last year's level after the Labor Day weekend's heavy rains. On September 7, Walt Kane reported a reading of 1379'. That was 3.4" higher than on roughly the same date a year ago, 3.1" higher than on May 1st of this year, and 7.6" higher than on November 1st, 2003. The chart shows the changes since June of 1999. Over the past five years, Ten Mile's water level reached an all-time high of 1380.22' in June of 2001. Since then, precipitation and water levels have been lower. These past two years our levels have been lower than some people would like. There've been several stories of boats being unable to be floated off of their lifts, and props being damaged in shallow waters. Beaches have been wider, however, which is a boon for those who like them that way.

Last October DNR published the results of its two-year study of the Ten Mile-Boy River-Birch Lake Dam-Pleasant Lake hydrology. As expected, DNR recommended that a new, fixed, V-shaped weir be installed on the Birch Lake dam's existing sill. At the County Commissioners' meeting on this September 7, 3rd District Commissioner Rusty Lilyquist moved that the Commissioners approve construction of the new outlet structure this fall. His motion passed, and the word is that the County hopes to complete the work in October. Completion will mark the culmination of five years of attention paid to this issue by the Ten Mile, Birch Lake and Pleasant Lake Associations, MN DNR and the County Commissioners. Retrofitting the dam will put an end to stop log management at the dam and provide somewhat better control over the water levels in all three lakes and in the Boy River.

Meanwhile, this summer beavers have constructed their own dam just below the Boy River Bridge on Lower Ten Mile Lake Road. In periods of low water such as we have experienced this season, Birch and Pleasant Lakes suffer the worst effects of the beavers' persistent efforts. Birch Lake volunteers have made valiant efforts to remove the dam, but the only permanent solution to the problem is eradication. The Birch Lake Association has invited Ten Mile to join in the financial support of a contract with a professional trapper to rid the Boy River of its beaver population near the beaver dam. Stay tuned….