OTC has over 1,000 lakes, rivers

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

Addressing county commissioners on March 12 was Sylvia Soeth, president of the Otter Tail County Coalition of Lake Associations (COLA). She resides at Big Pine Lake near Perham.

COLA is a private volunteer group, with a board of directors, working with lake associations and lake property owners throughout Otter Tail County for the common good of all area lakes.

“We who are active with COLA see ourselves as a valuable ally to lake property owners for stewardship of their lakes,” Soeth said. “Our lake property owners in Otter Tail County are the major stakeholders in these efforts.”

Soeth pointed out the efforts the past 10 years of COLA members fighting the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and recent efforts to promote lakescaping and other shoreline preservation programs. These efforts help slow erosion, decrease ice damage and increase rain infiltration,

County commissioners expressed appreciation for COLA.

“We commend COLA for its many years of working to protect the lakes and also rivers here in Otter Tail County,” said county board Chaiman Kurt Mortenson of rural Underwood.

County Commissioner Lee Rogness of Fergus Falls added that COLA works as a partner with county government, including coordination with Otter Tail County’s AIS Task Force. “COLA deserves our sincere thanks,” Rogness said.

COLA membership is made up of more than 50 lake associations in Otter Tail County. Associations vary in their structure. Some are formed for single lakes while others include two or more lakes.

Meetings are scheduled this year at the Ottertail Community Center in Ottertail at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday in May, June, July and August. COLA members provide assistance to new lake associations and bring lake property owners together for the exchange of ideas and general fellowship.

At each gathering one lake association is featured and a second speaker will talk about a topic of interest to COLA members.

“Our water testing program has been in place for many years,” Soeth said. “Data goes to the state of Minnesota. Lakes Associations can find water quality reports on the COLA website.”

The COLA mission, said Soeth, in addition to protecting Otter Tail County’s lakes and rivers, is to preserve the economic, recreational and natural environmental values of shorelands and to promote the responsible use of waters and related habitats.

“We can help attain our goals,” Soeth said, “through our monthly membership meetings, educational programs and participation in other activities.”