
Mission
FLARA is dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of Fish Lake and to enhance the recreational use of the lake. The purpose of FLARA is to:
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Increase, advance and preserve the vitality and environmental health of Fish Lake in cooperation with the residents of the lake and surrounding community, the City of Maple Grove, the Elm Creek Watershed District, and the Three Rivers Park District.
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Advance the civic betterment and general welfare of Fish Lake.
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Create the spirit of goodwill and friendliness between lake homeowners and the local community.
Projects
FLARA projects from 2016 -2019 totaled an investment of over $500,000 for Fish Lake. We have built strong working relationships with other organizations such as Three Rivers Park District, City of Maple Grove, Elm Creek Watershed, Hennepin County, MN DNR, and other lake associations. Examples of these projects are:
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FLARA, Three Rivers Park District, Elm Creek Watershed, and the City of Maple Grove supplemented a grant to treat Fish Lake with alum to inactivate sediment phosphorus.
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FLARA partnered with Rice Lake Area Association for a Carp Removal and Fish Movement project.
2020 Accomplishments
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Organized the distribution of 1,200 door hangers to homes impacting the Fish Lake watershed educating them about the impact of debris, leaves and grass, and steps residents can take to reduce these contaminants running into Fish Lake.
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FLARA has facilitated the "Adopt a Drain" program; 68 individuals’ have adopted and committed to keep clear of debris 106 of 706 drains flowing into Fish Lake. The City of Maple Grove has expanded the Adopt a Drain program city wide increasing the adaptors from 106 in the Fish Lake watershed to 165 city wide.
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In 2020 over 1,500 lbs. of leaves, grass, sediment/dirt and trash have been removed from the city’s drains.
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Fish Lake reached record water clarity of 19.5 feet this year in early June and held at 12 feet though the warm summer months. This represents a substantial improvement over prior years and lake users are very pleased with the improved water quality.
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Facilitated the installation of a CD3 (Clean, Drain, Dry & DIspose) Station at the Fish Lake Regional Park boat launch.
Educational Efforts
FLARA shares educational information that impacts Fish Lake such as.
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Avoiding the introduction of AIS into Fish Lake
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Reducing the external loading of phosphorus
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Managing shoreline erosion
