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1. What is the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed?

Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed map

A Watershed is an area of land that rain and snowmelt flows over on its way to entering a lake, river or wetland. A watershed is like a funnel – collecting water within the drainage area and channeling it into a stream, river or lake. Even if your home is not next to a lake, river or wetland, you still live in a watershed and the rain and snowmelt from your property flows to area lakes and rivers.

The Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed contains the communities of Center City, Lindstrom, and large portions of Chisago City and Chisago Lakes Township. Approximately 14,100 people live in the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed.

The Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed contains many of the premier recreational lakes in the northeast metro area. There are 19 lakes in the Watershed including North & South Center, North & South Lindstrom, Chisago and Green Lakes. Combined there are over 7,000 acres of lakes within the Watershed and many miles of streams.

Runoff water drains through many streams into the lakes. The water eventually flows from the Watershed into the Sunrise River via Bloomquist Creek. Water then flows north to the St. Croix River. What we do in the Chisago Lakes Watershed has an effect on the Sunrise River and the St. Croix.

2. What is the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District?

1984 Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District map The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District was first established in 1976 by resolution of the Chisago County Board of Commissioners. The District was reactivated by resolution of the County Board in 1984 and is a taxing district. The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District was established because of high water in area lakes. Shoreland homes were being flooded. The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District installed a system of channels and weirs designed to drain excess water during times of high water. The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District boundary was established as the best approximation of the watershed area at that time. 

Over time, many lakes and streams within the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed have become degraded. Degradation of our waters is harmful to fish habitat and negatively impacts recreational value by making swimming, boating and living near the lakes less desirable. As a result, in 2009 the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District expanded its mission to protect and restore the surface water resources of the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed. Minnesota Statutes 103B.521 states the boundary of a lake improvement district shall be encouraged to be as consistent as practical with natural hydrologic boundaries.

The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District Board of Directors is composed of 5 members representing specific areas and 2 at large Directors. The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District Board provides policy recommendations to the Chisago County Board of Commissioners. The Board of Directors represent areas covering the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes watershed. Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District Board of Directors area representation  

The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District actively promotes programs to: •Encourage environmentally sound land use practices for urban and agricultural areas to protect water quality within the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed. •Maintain the ditch and weir system in order to control water levels during high water events. •Preserve, protect and enhance water quality within the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed. •Promote environmental education, awareness and stewardship within the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed. •Promote the reduction of non-native aquatic invasive species. •Protect, encourage and restore native shoreline to improve fish and wildlife habitat. •Restore, improve and maintain navigation channels between the lakes. •Support safe and balanced recreational use of surface water. The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District is an effective organization put in place to protect and restore area lakes and streams. It is funded through an annual budgeting process.

3. Why is the current Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District boundary different from the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed?

The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District was established in 1984. At that time the watershed boundary was estimated using the best watershed technology of the day. It was a very good estimation of the watershed area. In 2009 an official Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed map was developed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The 1984 map and 2009 map are similar but not the same. Overlap of 1984 and 2009 maps The majority of parcels identified in both maps are the same. There are a number of parcels in the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed that are not included in the original 1984 Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District boundary map. Some parcels in the 1984 Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District map are outside the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed.

4. What is being proposed?

Put simply, it is proposed that the existing Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District boundary be adjusted to match the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes watershed drainage area. In 2009 the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District Board of Directors adopted the official Minnesota Department of Natural Resources map of the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed. The Board made the decision to work on projects throughout the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed and not limit projects to the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District taxation area identified in 1984. The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District 2015 Water Resource Management Plan, mission, goals, objectives and by-laws are based on the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed. 

In December 2014, the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District Board of Directors passed a motion to recommend that the Chisago County Board of Commissioners begin the process of adjusting the original 1984 Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District taxation boundary to match the official 2009 Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed developed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 

In March 2015, the Chisago County Board of Commissioners passed a motion to prepare a Resolution of Intent initiating the process to evaluate and potentially adjust the taxation boundary to be consistent with the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed boundary. 

On May 20, 2015 the Chisago County Board of Commissioners approved a Resolution of Intent to re-establish the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District consistent with the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed boundary.

5. What are the benefits of the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District?

The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District is the organization best suited to coordinate water protection and restoration activities. The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District partners with other organizations such as Chisago Soil & Water Conservation District, local communities, lake associations, state and federal agencies. The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District is under the authority of the Chisago County Board of Commissioners.

Thanks to financing provided by area residents and multiple state and federal grants, the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District participates in many projects to protect and restore lakes and streams. A prerequisite of most state and federal water quality improvement grants is that a local unit of government provide a portion of the funding. By supplying these funds, the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District has been instrumental in helping the entire Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed receive well over a million dollars ($1,000,000) in state and federal grants.

The following fact sheets highlight Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District activities that benefit lakeshore, non-lakeshore, city, and rural residents.

295th Street Neighborhood Retrofit – Lindstrom
Aquatic Invasive Species Treatment
Chisago County Children’s Water Festival
Chisago County Water Quality and Aquatic Invasive Species Monitoring
Chisago Lakes Watershed Best Management Practices Implementation
Carp Management
Ditch and Weir Maintenance
Fish Kill Disposal
Furgala/Labernik Rain Garden – Center City
Groundwater Observation Wells
Hook, Line and Sinker Recycling Program and Summary
Lake Avenue Dead End Street Project – Chisago City
Lake Level Monitoring Program
Lake Level Graphs
Summary for Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed lake level monitoring activities
Lake Water Quality Monitoring
Loren’s Park – Center City
Minimal Impact Design Standards
North Center North Lindstrom Channel
Pleasant Hill Park – Lindstrom
Public Outreach and Awareness
Pumphouse Park/Elm Street Project – Lindstrom
Rural Subwatershed Assessment
Septic System Compliance
Slow No-Wake Ordinance
South Center Lake Boat Launch – Lindstrom
Surfland Neighborhood Rain Gardens – Chisago City
Swamp Lake Outlet Easements
Urban and Shoreline Best Management Practices
Water Trail System
Watercraft Inspection Program
Watercraft Inspection Report

6. Why are lakes and streams in the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed important?

Native Americans called the lakes Ki Chi Saga which means fair and lovely waters. The county name Chisago is derived from this. European pioneers called the lakes Big Lake and founded the communities of Center City, Chisago City, and Lindstrom. As mentioned earlier, the lakes in the Chisago Lakes Watershed are some of the premier recreational lakes in the northeast metro. There are more than 7,000 acres of lakes in the Watershed. The lakes provide a sense of community identity. Many organizations use Chisago Lakes as part of their name including, but not limited to:

Chisago Lakes Achievement Center
Chisago Lakes Archery
Chisago Lakes Area ISD #2144
Chisago Lakes Area Community Foundation
Chisago Lakes Area Library
Chisago Lakes Area Rugby Club
Chisago Lakes Arena
Chisago Lakes Baptist School
Chisago Lakes Chamber of Commerce
Chisago Lakes Community Education
Chisago Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church
Chisago Lakes Golf Course
Chisago Lakes High School
Chisago Lakes Hockey Association
Chisago Lakes Hoops Club
Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District
Chisago Lakes Lions Club
Chisago Lakes Mutual Insurance Company
Chisago Lakes Primary School
Chisago Lakes Protection and Restoration Plan
Others…

The Chisago Lakes Watershed provides outstanding recreational opportunities. The lakes are a tremendous asset to the community and the reason many people live here and identify with the area. The lakes boost the local economy by boosting tourism. The lakes provide a sense of place and community.

7. How does what we do in the watershed affect lakes and rivers?

In both urban and rural areas, water flows over streets, sidewalks, and fields into streams, ditches, and storm drains. As the water flows it picks up trash and pollutants and carries them, untreated, directly to the nearest lake or river. This is runoff pollution. Everyone who lives in the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed is impacted by and benefits from the presence of the lakes. Everyone in the Watershed has an effect on lake water quality.

Over time, many lakes and streams within the Watershed have become degraded. Degradation of our waters is harmful to fish habitat and negatively impacts recreational value by making swimming, boating and living near the lakes less desirable.

North & South Center, Linn, Little, Ogren, Pioneer, School, and Wallmark Lakes are impaired, meaning these lakes do not meet water quality standards established by the State of Minnesota for lakes in this area. Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed impaired waters map

The Chisago Soil and Water Conservation District, with partial funding provided by the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District, is installing projects throughout the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed that improve the quality of water entering area lakes and streams.

8. What is the responsibility of the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District to the community?

It is the responsibility of the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District to partner with residents, lake associations, other organizations and agencies to protect and restore the surface water resources of the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed. The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District is committed to being good stewards of the financial resources provided by residents of the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District taxation boundary established in 1984. The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District has adopted by-laws which provide a set of operating procedures and establish a code of ethics and conduct.

9. What are the responsibilities of landowners?

Everyone who lives within the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed shares in the responsibility to protect our lakes and rivers. Activities on the land can have a direct impact on the quality of our lakes and rivers. There are approximately 14,100 residents living within the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed. If only one person adds a little pollution to our waters there is likely to be no impact. However, if hundreds or even thousands of people add a little pollution, water quality degradation starts to add up. On the other hand, if everyone in the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed works together to protect the lakes and rivers, over time the water quality will improve. Tax dollars provided by residents through the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District are essential to protecting and restoring the surface water resources of the entire Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed. These funds are essential to leverage additional grants and resources. Recently, the Chisago Soil and Water Conservation District was awarded approximately $900,000 in a Targeted Watershed Grant to complete water quality protection and restoration projects within the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed. Funding from the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District provided essential match dollars to obtain the grant.

10. What are the tax impacts?

The 2015 tax levy of the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District is $232,000. This amount is set annually by the Chisago County Board of Commissioners. These funds are collected as an ad valorem tax assessed on all parcels within the 1984 tax boundary. Ad valorem is a tax based on the value of property. Higher value properties have a higher tax applied compared to lower value properties. Some of these funds are leveraged as match to obtain additional state and federal grants.

Currently, approximately 5,650 parcels are assessed an average of $41 per parcel per year. If the tax boundary were adjusted to be consistent with the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed boundary approximately 1,400 parcels would be added. In addition, approximately 60 parcels outside the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed would be removed. This would result in a total of approximately 7,050 parcels in the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed.

If the total tax levy remains at $232,000 then the average annual assessment would be $33 per parcel. 5,650 parcels would receive an annual tax decrease of $8 and 1,400 parcels would receive an annual tax increase of $33.

11. Do lakeshore homeowners pay more taxes to the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District than non-lakeshore owners?

Chisago County applies an ad valorem tax onto all properties within the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District. This means that properties are assessed according to their value. Higher value properties pay higher taxes. According to the Chisago County Assessor’s Office lakeshore lots have approximately 2-3 times more value than a similar sized non-lakeshore lot. In addition, lakeshore houses tend to be larger than non-lakeshore houses. There are many variables, but in general, lakeshore homeowners pay more in taxes to the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District than non-lakeshore homeowners because they have higher valued property.

12. How would a parcel be affected if the watershed boundary line crosses through the parcel?

There are approximately 250 parcels where the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed boundary crosses through and divides the parcel.

If a parcel is entirely within the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed boundary it will be included in the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District.

If more than 50% of the land area of a parcel is within the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed boundary it is proposed to be included in the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District.

If 50% or less of the land area of a parcel is within the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed boundary it is not proposed to be included in the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District.

If a parcel is entirely outside the Chisago Lakes Chain of Lakes Watershed boundary it will not be included in the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District.

13. If approved, when would the boundary adjustment take place?

If approved, the new Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District boundary will be effective as of January 1, 2016. Any changes in property taxes will become payable January 1, 2017.