BPLA-Managed Programs
The Big Pine Lake Association (BPLA) manages multiple programs in conjunction with government agencies and non-profits such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR), Crow Wing County (CWC), the Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District, (SWCD) and the Whitefish Area Property Owners Association (WAPOA).
Programs and activities that BPLA manages in conjunction with the MNDNR include Lake Level Monitoring, Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) management, and permitting for dam maintenance activities on behalf of CWC. BPLA also works closely with the Crosslake USACE office to monitor Crosslake Dam outflow rates in order to minimize downstream impacts of high volume outflows following heavy rain events.
BPLA works closely with CWC, the owner of the Pine River Rock Dam, to ensure that necessary maintenance is completed in as timely manner as possible. Rock dam bog removal and maintenance monitoring, as well as agency permitting and contractor bidding support are all provided to CWC by BPLA.
BPLA organized and is partnering with the team of SWCD, MNDNR Fisheries Division, CWC, and the City of Crosslake, in pursuit of a $1.2 million Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Fund grant that would fund construction of the second phase of a two-phase project. The project would replace the nearly 50 year-old Pine River rock dam (that blocks the upstream migration of multiple aquatic species), with a habitat-friendly rock riffle fish passage structure at the site of the current rock dam.
Phase One of the project involved “armoring” the east river bank with industrial grade sheeting and riprap in order to prevent further erosion of the river bank. Phase One construction was partially funded with a portion of the $400,000 State of Minnesota Conservation Legacy Partners (CPL) grant that was awarded to SWCD in November, 2016.
Once complete, the riffle structure will help rebuild ecologically healthy fish and mussel communities in the river system that includes the Mississippi, lakes, feeder streams and wetlands the dam blocks. The riffles are engineered to open the system, restoring natural flows, spawning habitat, and in-stream cycling. This design will help walleye, smallmouth bass, other bait fish, mussels and more, by expanding spawning habitat and access to the resources needed for each stage of their growth. All stream life will have cradle to grave access to resources; from fish larvae, to fry, to adults to species dependent on them for food and prey.
In addition to working with government agencies, BPLA also works with private industry to source competitive providers of mosquito management services on behalf of all Big Pine Lake property owners and residents.