Chronology of 2022-2023 Rice Lake Winter Aeration project
November 13, 2022 - Winter Aeration signs posted along shoreline
In preparation for the winter aeration later this season, signs were posted at various entry points to the lake reminding everyone that winter aeration will be conducted on the lake which will mean there will be areas of open water present. Please use caution when venturing out onto the lake once winter aeration begins.
This page will track the activities related to the winter aeration of Rice Lake for the 2022-2023 season. Most recent activities are at the bottom of this page.
November 14, 2022 - Winter Aeration permit approved by MN DNR
The Minnesota DNR approved operation of the winter aeration system on Rice Lake for the 2022-2023 season. (Click here to view the permit)
October 13, 2022 - City of Maple Grove provides Certificate of Liability Insurance for system operation
November 10 & 17, 2022 - Winter Aeration public notice in Osseo-Maple Grove Press
Per Minnesota DNR requirements, a public notice must be run in the local newspaper prior to any operation of the winter aeration system on Rice Lake for the 2022-2023 season. (Click here to view the notices)
See below for photos of various activities related to Winter Aeration
September 4, 2022 - RLAA submitted permit renewal to MN DNR
Permit AERP3222 pending for MN DNR review and approval for the 2022-2023 winter aeration season.
Site Preparation for Winter Aeration
11/8/2022
Since the City replaced some of the storm drain adjacent to the aerator last winter, some erosion has occurred between the system unit and the shoreline. RLAA volunteer installed some gravel in that area to help stabilize the aeration slab and motor housing.
11/8/2022
City service request #31103 has been opened requesting the City to install fill underneath the aerator PVC and alongside their storm sewer pipe to help prevent erosion.
Service Request #31103
We (Rice Lake Area Association) would like to thank the Public Works department for removing the large boulder from the top of the aeration system PVC/air hoses last month. The original work was done in late fall of 2021 when the storm drain was replaced and the boulder left on top of the PVC/air hoses.
The area below the PVC and alongside the storm drain has since been eroded and would greatly benefit from installing some fill to reduce future erosion. RLAA installed 4 bags of small rock today (11/8) around the aeration unit and under the PVC up to the shoreline, but it would be very helpful to have more fill installed (see attached photo). Can the City install fill beneath the remaining PVC out to the water and alongside the storm drain pipe before this winter?
11/15/2022
As of today, no response on this request.
November 17, 2022 - Winter Aeration public notice in Osseo-Maple Grove Press
December 10, 2022 - Winter Aeration system started up
The winter aeration system was started up today with ice measured between 3-5". The unit will run 24/7 to provide oxygen to help the fish survive. Thin Ice signs have been posted around the perimeter of the area. Please exercise caution when in that vicinity. (Click here for start-up photos of the area)
11/8/2022
The City installed dirt fill around the pipe to help secure it from future erosion. Ticket #31103 was closed.
Winter Aeration start-up on December 10, 2022
12/10/2022
The winter aeration system was started up today and starter holes were drilled to help the 6 air diffusers get going. Ice in the area was only between 3-5" thick, with some of the aeration holes opening up on their own! The system will continue running on a 24/7 schedule to help oxygenate the water for fish survival. Thanks to these 4 volunteers from the RLAA Board of Directors for today's efforts: Hente Braam, Jeremy Coenen, Mark Ellingson and George Schneider.
If you notice any issues with the system not performing (holes closing up; motor not running; etc.), please let us know at ricelakeassoc@comcast.net.
Looking SE from the NW shoreline.
Looking Southwest from the NW shoreline.
Looking South from the NW shoreline.
Looking East from the West end of aeration area.
Looking SE from the NW end of aeration area.
Looking East from the West end of aeration area.
12/11/2022
As of today (day 2 of aeration), the area of open water is expanding.
December 22, 2022 - Replacement Thin Ice signs deployed
During the previous warm-up in mid-December, several of the Thin ice signs either fell into the open water or fell over and were buried in the snow. Replacement signs were put out today to help mark off the entire area. Ice was measured between 5-8" in the area where signs were put out. (see photos below on Day 12)
12/22/2022
As of today (day 12 of aeration), the area of open water is reduced due to the recent deep freeze. Replacement signs were deployed to fill in gaps from when the previous warm spell swallowed up some of them.
Looking East from the NW end of aeration area.
Looking South from the NW end of aeration area.
Looking SW from the NE end of aeration area.
December 28, 2022 - Open water area expanding; waterfowl present
Over the past week the area of open water has been expanding and the waterfowl (mostly ducks) are present, as shown in the photo below.
Looking SW from the NE end of aeration area.
12/28/2022
As of today (day 18 of aeration), the area of open water is expanding again with the relatively warmer weather. Waterfowl are finding the area to be popular.
1/2/2023
As of today (day 23 of aeration), the area of open water is reduced slightly due to recent colder weather. Waterfowl were observed today.
Looking SW from the NE end of aeration area.
1/20/2023
As of today (day 41 of aeration), the area of open water has increased to roughly 200' x 400'. Waterfowl were observed today.
Looking SW from the NE end of aeration area.
April 7, 2023 - Open water area continues to expand; more waterfowl present
As the ice begins to disappear the open water around the aerator is expanding. There is a wide variety of waterfowl present including ducks, geese, seagulls, eagles and Great Blue Herons.
4/5/2023
As the ice begins to melt, some signs of dead fish are appearing. Below photos are from the shoreline along 91st Ave. Various species are shown, including northern pike, sunfish, bullhead and largemouth bass.
(Thanks to Gary Shubinsky for these photos)
22" Northern Pike
4/7/2023
As of today the area of open water has increased to roughly 250' x 500'. Various species of waterfowl were observed today.
Looking East from the NW end of aeration area.
Various young panfish
Looking Southeast from the NW end of aeration area.
April 9, 2023 - Open water area expands to several times the size with warm spell!
With recent temperatures in the 50/60's, the ice is going out quickly around the aeration area. All of the signs are down at this point and will be drifting with the current soon. If you spot any of these signs along the shoreline, please give us a heads up of the location to ricelakeassoc@comcast.net. The aerator will be left on until all the ice is out. Thanks!
4/9/2023
With the recent warm spell, the ice is disappearing rapidly around the aeration area. Thin Ice signs will be drifting to the shoreline as the ice out progresses. Let us know (ricelakeassoc@comcast.net) if you spot any.
Looking SW from the East end of aeration area.
April 14, 2023 - Aeration system turned off as ice goes out today!
Record warmth this past week has melted the lake ice so the aerator was turned off for the season today. Most of the Thin Ice signs were already picked up by kayak, but if you spot any of these signs along the shoreline, please give us a heads up of the location to ricelakeassoc@comcast.net.
4/14/2023
Lake level has been higher than normal for this time of year, reaching 892' sea level. This photo shows the storm drain outlet pipe covered in water, which is less than 1 foot below the aeration system housing.
From park trail looking over aeration system box in NW corner of the lake.
