THE ANN LAKE WATERSHED ALLIANCE (ALWA) 2009 – today

     In 2009 the Ann Lake Sportsman Club began planning to support the clean water restoration plans that would emerge from the Ann River TMDL.  The organization changed it’s name to the Ann Lake Watershed Alliance (ALWA) to better reflect the focus that would be needed on the watershed and not just the lake, and to encourage residents in the watershed to see ALWA as a way to support clean water initiatives.  The long awaited TMDL study has now been published and will soon be approved by the EPA.  Once that occurs, plans will be developed to restore the lake water to acceptable levels.  The members of ALWA have been engaged in these activities while waiting for the larger plan to emerge from the TMDL

1. Annual fund raising activities (Ice Fishing Contest, Easter Ham Bingo, and selling Turkey legs at the Kanabec County fair)
2. Spring clean up of Highway 47 and Ann Lake Drive
3. Removing debris from the ice in late spring so it will not become “bottom of the lake junk.”
4. Summer water testing
5. Logging location of Curly Leaf pondweed and spot treatments
6. Working with county departments to eliminate storm runn off ersosion directly into the lake
7. Shoreland restoration projects

THE ANN LAKE SPORTSMAN CLUB (ALSC) 1954 – 2009

• ALSC was formed November 1954, with the main objective to get a dam built.  By Oct of 1955 the club had 149 members, 1965 club had 232 members
• ALSC started work on the dam in 1956 and dam completed in December of 1965 raised the water level 2 feet
• 1963 no carp in the lake
• Winter of 64/65 snow was so deep many deer died.  Club rented a snowmobile to assist with reaching deer that were “yarded up”
• Pheasants and ducks raising by Ogilvie FFA were sponsored by the club
• Fire arms safety course
• Summer of 1965 Ammonium nitrate used to blast holes around the lake to provide habitat for ducks
• Installed plaque on the control box to commemorate all the work Bill Peel did but he never lived to see the fruits of his labors. 
• Keith Brodin speech at the dedication told members to keep working, there was a lot to be done
• Public access put in June of 1969.  First fishing derby was jan 26, 1969.  Club lost $100
• 1973 Mille Lacs County Board of Commissioners considering putting an “on land dump” on NW corner of the reserve.  Club fought it  by writing multiple agencies and getting Sen HH Humpfrey and other to oppose
• 1973 Mille Lacs refuge deer were in need of brouse.  Club paid a private contractor with bulldozer to knock down brouse in DNR specified places. 
• March 1975 ALSC won MCF Presidents award