Projects & Accomplishments
The Steamboat Lake Association has sponsored and coordinated many projects focused on keeping our lake healthy and free of Aquatic Invasive Species
Kiosk at Public Landing
Tools to clean boats before putting in the water and taking out were added along with signage asking to clean, drain and dispose of any unwanted bait in the trash. We are also looking into a CD3 station. with a more permanent solution for keeping the tools on site for everyone to use.
Public Landing Cleanups
Every spring and fall we pick up and dispose of trash that has accumulated at the public landing to keep it out of the lake and keep the surrounding forest healthy.
Steamboat Lake Plan
The Steamboat Lake Association has developed a lake plan in conjunction with the Hubbard County Lake and Rivers Association to identify the region that affects our lake's waters and will begin to implement a 10-year plan on how to keep these waters clean.
Pollinator Garden Planting
In 2024 SLA worked with Jim Etzel of Earth is Our Home and Sunshine Gardens Nursery and Landscaping to create a pollinator garden under the sign at the public landing. Many members volunteered to plant the plants and maintain the plantings keeping them weed free. In 2026, it should be a beautiful site this summer.
Loon Nesting Platform
The SLA Wildlife Team worked with the MN DNR through the Loon Restoration Project to place a DNR approved Artificial Nesting Platform (ANP) on Steamboat near the Necktie River. It takes about 3 to 4 years before they can get adopted by a pair of loons so we are still waiting to see if that happens,
Zebra Mussel Monitoring
The Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Team has been making Veliger tows which will determine the presence of microscopic Zebra Mussel veligers in the lake. One zebra mussel was found on a piece of equipment in 2017. Since that time, no one on the lake has seen any signs of adult zebra mussels. The results of the veliger tows that have been taken in 2023 and 2025 have resulted in no presence concerns to date.
Boat Inspection Monitoring
The SLA in partnership with the MN DNR has stepped up the monitoring of the pubic access for boat inspections. Thanks to our members we have been able to increase the amount of time that boats are inspected.
Eyes on the Water Program
In conjunction with the Hubbard County Coalition of Lake Associations we have implemented this program. Several of our members have volunteered to install Zebra Mussel Settlement Samplers at the end of there docks and check them monthly during the open water months. In addition they walk their shorelines and check their docks when they are taken out for the season to check for Aquatic Invasive Species. We are happy to report to date that nothing was found..
AIS Sign by Swing Bridge
Working with the DNR and Cass County Soil and Water District the SLA installed a sign close by the Swing Bridge over Highway 371 in the Steamboat River to ask boaters to clean their prop before entering Steamboat Lake from the Steamboat River to prevent the Starry Stonewort that was found in Steamboat Bay on Leech Lake from finding its way into Steamboat Lake. The sign is installed in the spring and removed before the lake freezes over.