BOATING
Those of us who own property on Tabor Lake know how lucky we are. At 170 acres, and with its connection to beautiful wetlands and the Minerva Flowage, Tabor Lake is big enough for us to enjoy many on-the-water activities such as boating, fishing, water skiing, kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing, or lounging on our favorite floatation device. However, Tabor Lake is also small enough that if we are not aware of each other and intentional about following good on-the-water etiquette and courtesy, we run the risk of impinging on each other’s enjoyment and potentially causing injury to each other and the lake that we love.
With the DNR, Tabor Lake Association (TLA) has discovered two aquatic invasive species (AIS) in our lake, Curly-Leaf Pondweed (CLPW) and Japanese Knotweed.
The CLPW was minimal, plants were pulled and we’re monitoring to see if that was it. June is a big month for its appearance so keep an eye peeled and email us if you see any!
Japanese Knotweed is at the entrance of the channel. Unfortunately, there’s more of that than is easy to eradicate. The DNR will be treating it chemically in the fall. We are monitoring and staying in touch with the DNR.
The TLA board is investigating signing up for an Aquatic Plant Management (APM) Plan with the DNR which will provide preventative review — we’ve formed an AIS sub-committee. We’re just starting as of May 2022, will post more as we know more.
In the meanwhile, please continue your best watercraft practices! If aggressive AIS take hold in Tabor Lake, lake enjoyment and property values will suffer.
- INSPECT/RINSE boats, trailers, equipment
- REMOVE all attached aquatic plants and animals
- DRAIN all water from boats, vehicles and equipment (Zebra Mussels are invisible at early stages)
- NEVER MOVE live fish bait away from a body of water
Click for more details about best practices on our BOATING page.
Since Zebra Mussels were discovered in Big McKenzie Lake in 2016, Burnett County has mobilized an effort to control the spread. In January 2018, new legislation was passed that makes it a violation to NOT use a decontamination station when one is available at public launches.*
The TLA Board received a mailing in early spring 2018 outlining the responsibilities for a lake association that wants to install a decontamination station. The Board asked Burnett County conservationist Dave Ferris (who spoke at our 2018 Spring meeting) to inspect our public access. He determined that it would not be suitable for such a station due to a number of factors. Mainly, it’s too small, the run off from the decontamination process could not be contained and it’s surrounded by private property.
After a conversation with Dave, it was agreed that the best way for all Tabor Lake property owners to keep the lake free of aquatic invasive species (AIS) is to follow watercraft decontamination best practices. We just saved a bunch of money, people!
Here’s the short version for you and your guests:
• INSPECT boats, trailers and related equipment.
• REMOVE all attached aquatic plants and animals.
• DRAIN all water from boats, vehicles, and equipment.
• NEVER MOVE live fish or bait away from a waterbody.
Here is a DNR web page that further explains what boaters and landowners need to do to contribute to AIS-free lakes.
We are a bit lucky in that we have a low calcium level in our lake, but remember when the big scare was Eurasian Water-Milfoil? Getting in the habit of inspection has no down-side. Please also have your visitors decontaminate their watercraft prior to use in Tabor Lake.
One of our members went to a Zebra Mussel session at the NW Lakes Conference 2018, see this page.
By the way, if you’re into water gardening, check out this article: Water Gardening_LakeLines-Fall-2018. As is Japanese Beetles weren’t enough trouble!
Native mussel covered with Zebra Mussels (MNDNR); Detail (Wikipedia).
*Burnett County Board of Supervisors Resolution #2018-01, an amendment to Illegal Transportation of Aquatic Plants and Invasive Animals Ordinance.
This year's boat parade included a pirate boat -- complete with homemade cannon! -- and an Olympics boat. There were about eight pontoons, three kayaks and two jet skis competing. Judges were last year's winners... who were the judges?! The Gillitzer's boat won this year with a Tiki Bar theme. Congratulations! See PHOTOS for more. Send an email with more details!
