02-09-1987 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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RECREATIONAL USE Overwhelmingly, the primary recreational use of Lake Minnetonka is boating. Popular boating activities include cruising, fishing, sailing and waterskiing. Picnicking and swimming are also popular, especially in conjunction with boat operation and residential ownership. Scuba diving occurs on the lake, partic- ularly in the warmer months. Other less frequently encountered summer activ- ities include sea planes and ultra -light aircraft. During the winter the lake is used for ice skating, cross-country skiing, snommobiling and ice fishing. A wide diversity of craft are present on the lake. These include runabouts, cruisers, sailboats, pontoons, rowboats, canoes, paddle boats, and a few sea- planes. Runabouts are the most common type of craft followed by sailboats and then cruisers. Some power boats are reportedly capable of speeds nearly twice the 40 mph speed limit imposed on the lake. In 1982, boat storage on the lake was estimated at 7450 craft. Of these, 2966 were at commercial marinas, 690 at multiple residential docks, and 3794 at indi- vidual riparian residences. Between 1975 and 1982 the number of stored craft decreased approximately 18.3 percent from the 1975 high of 9123. However, since then shoreline counts indicate that boat storage on the lake is again in- creasing. Shoreline counts in 1985 indicated that there were 8108 boats stored, or an increase of approximately 8.8 percent. Instantaneous counts were taken from 1973 through 1983 and again in 1986. The 1986 counts were not available at the time of this writing. The boats in use studies were instantaneous counts during standard normal high -use periods. In 1981 and 1982 the counts were derived from aerial photo surveys; in the other years the counts were made manually. The results indicate that instantaneous boating use was lowest in 1974 when 986 active boats were counted. The high oc- curred in 1982 when 2256 boats were instantaneously active on the Lake. That is a growth of 91.3 percent since 1973. In 1983 the count was 1833, nr 18.75 percent leas than the previous year. More important than variation between in- dividual years is the general upward trend documented by the boat counts. PREVIOUS STUDIES The first major study of interest 'a the 1971 study Conducted for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency tit l ea "r Program for Preserving the Quality of Lake Minnetonka". That study emphasized water nuality and recommended diversion of sewage treatment plant discharge out of the Lake Basin. In 1982, as the result of a dispute between the Department of Natural Resources and a municipality over development of additional public access, the Governor of Minnesota formed a Task Force to investigate specific issues concerning rec- reational use and management o`. Lake Minnetonka. The Task Force filed its re- port in 1983, and became known as the "1983 Task Force Report. Three .areas were investigated by the Task Farce: 1) adequacy of public access, 2) surface use patterns and conflicts, and 3) adequacy of lake management and enforcement programs. Among the major cone lusi.ans were: