The Sherburne County lakes associations have had their hands full in recent years, dealing with effects of water runoff and invasive aquatic species.

 

But they received good news this week from the county Soil and Water Conservation department.

 

Dan Cibulka, water resource specialist with the SWCD, reported to the Big Eagle Lake Association there have been no reports of the threat of another two invasive species - zebra mussel veligers or spiny water flea.

 

Cibulka reported he had received word on the results of the last test of 12 county lakes for the two reported threats - and they were all negative.

 

Cibulka said the study program will be again continued in July, with sampling of the 12 study lakes.

 

They include Big Eagle Lake, Lake Mitchell and Big Lake, Ann Lake and the Briggs Lake Chain.

 

“With the training (for the studies) complete, materials already purchased, and one year of experience under our belt, the work next year should be more efficient and less costly on our end to administer.

 

“We will be in touch with all the lake groups early in the summer to make arrangements for mid-July sampling as we did this year.”

 

Two existing aquatic threats include the European milfoil and the curly leaf pondweed, which have been in area lakes for several years.