This committee is concerned with the Ten Mile water level, the flow of the Boy River and the function of the Birch Lake outlet structure.  It tracks and records Ten Mile's water level and provides water level data to the MN DNR.  It keeps Association members informed of water level issues and of water level data at Board meetings, through the Web Site and the Newsletter, and at Annual Meetings.

Long term mission statement available here: Healthy Lakes Goals and Objectives

Chair: John Crabb    john.crabb0294@gmail.com 

Members:

This committee meets as needed at the call of its Chair.

Check the Calendar for current information and schedule changes

Contact the Chair if you wish to participate or feel free to attend meetings as you can.

Click here for August 2019 water level chart

Beaver dam problems, removal, subsequent activity and current situation.

Here is John Crabb’s report on the Boy River Beaver Dam as published in the winter, 2019 issue of the TMLA Newsletter under the heading “Beaver Dam Update.”

“A lot has happened to the beaver dam in the Boy River in recent months. As previously reported, at the September TMLA board meeting a proposal was made and passed to have the USDA affiliated Wildlife Services blow an opening in the beaver dam that has been preventing water from flowing down the Boy River from Ten Mile. Shortly before that action was taken, I canoed down the river from the bridge to Birch Lake. Due to very shallow water and extensive vegetation, it was tough going. On October 2, before a rather large group of onlookers, an 8-foot wide by about 5-feet deep opening was created in a spectacular explosion. A rush of water could be seen going downstream, and the river started to flow once again. Toward the end of October, I once again paddled down the river. It was one of our few nice fall days this year, and it was a most enjoyable trip. I was struck by the beauty of late fall in the northland more here than anywhere else in the area. The rush of water from blowing the dam had cleared the center of the riverbed and canoeing was a delight. Then in December, I received a phone call from a property owner on the river past Pleasant Lake. He reported that for the past month there had been water flowing out of Pleasant then freezing in layers adjacent to his newly seeded field. He was concerned that if this continued through the winter his field, nearby county roads, and perhaps even his home would be flooded. 

The DNR hydrologist looked at the situation and felt that the Ten Mile Lake Association should sandbag the dam opening for the remainder of the winter. It was thought that due to blowing of the dam so late in the year that our water might be causing the river to continue to flow after the lower section had frozen for the winter. Without a complete study of the watershed, which could take a couple of years, it is unclear as to cause and effect of the problem. In a gesture of goodwill and cooperation, the TMLA board voted to sandbag the dam opening for the remainder of the winter. Once the Boy River is flowing again from Pleasant Lake downstream, the sandbags will be removed over time to continue our efforts to Lower Ten Mile Lake water levels and keep the Boy River flowing normally. Brent Foster was hired. He and 5 others did the sandbagging on December 26.”  In late May and early June with the danger of Ten Mile Lake water contributing to any flooding, the sandbags were removed and the river allowed to flow normally. No further action other than maintaining beaver population in the area is expected.

 …. John Crabb Summer Resident Director