Three Current Threats to White Bear Lake

Chloride pollution is a growing problem in metro area lakes and streams. Many lakes are impaired with chloride pollution and more are at risk. Road salt, residential salting of sideways and driveways, water softeners, and some agricultural activities are adding chloride to our environment every year. Only one teaspoon of salt permanently pollutes five gallons of water. Once

salt dissolves, it isn’t feasible to remove it from a lake and it continues to accumulate. At this time, WBL is not impaired but accumulation remains a threat.

Salt can make sidewalks and roadways safer, but it also harms pets and wildlife, pollutes drinking water, and corrodes buildings, cars and bridges. Use salt wisely by following these steps:

1 Shovel

Clear walkways before snow turns to ice, and before you apply salt. The

2 Select

Salt doesn’t melt ice if the pavement is below 15 degrees, so use sand for

Use salt only where it’s critical. When you apply salt to pavement, leave plenty of space between granules. A

4 Sweep more snow you clear manually, the less salt you’ll need. traction when it’s too cold, or choose a different de-icer.

12-ounce coffee cup of salt is enough to cover 10 sidewalk squares or a 20foot driveway.

Clean up leftover salt, sand, and de-icer to save and reuse as needed.

Eurasian watermilfoil was first observed with a single plant collected near a public dock on the west side of WBL in 1988. Each year, the WBLCD conducts a survey of EWM growth in the lake, sampling more than 700 sites. A treatment plan is created from the survey results and the EWM is treated with a MN DNR approved herbicide.

In 2014, Zebra mussels were discovered in WBL. The Zebra mussel population is widespread and will expand and contract depending on the food supply. Zebra mussels cannot be effectively controlled or eliminated at this time. Recommendations to prevent zebra mussels from spreading to other lakes can be found on our website.

Non-native phragmites were discovered growing on the edges of WBL in August 2018. Non-native Phragmites is an extremely tall wetland grass. During the growing season it can reach over 15 feet tall and has dark green leaves with a large purple-brown flower head. The WBLCD has surveyed and treated the non-native phragmites each year since 2019.