Boat Parade
The Ninth Annual 4th of July boat parade will take place on Saturday July 5, led by Commodore Brenda Negen. Everyone is invited to join in the parade-- there is no obligation to decorate your boat to be in the parade—the more the merrier!
Plan to line up by 12:30 at the county park, south of the swimming beach. The parade will begin at 1 pm and boats are asked to stay in the parade from beginning to the end, so everyone can enjoy the parade. DO NOT throw anything from your boat including candy, water balloons, etc., and remember to keep a safe distance from the other boats.
Any questions, please contact Brenda Negen at 320-295-6060. Plan to join in on the fun!!!!!
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The Department of Natural Resources is working to create a population of large bluegill sunfish in Diamond Lake. Because of this, there is now a special limit on Diamond Lake of 
five sunfish in your possession instead of the normal 20.
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New MN DNR Boater Education Requirements Take Effect July 1, 2025
In Minnesota, a new law requires operators of motorized watercraft to have a valid watercraft operator's permit, starting on July 1, 2025. This applies to individuals born after June 30,
2004, who are 12 years of age or older. The permit requirement will gradually expand to older age groups over the next few years, impacting those born after June 30, 2000, starting July 1, 2026,
and so on. This new law aims to improve safety on the water bymaking sure everyone operating a motorized watercraft is trained and qualified.
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater/education.html
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Minnesota Life Jacket Requirements
A legal measure that went into effect in 2005, requires children under age ten to wear a life jacket while boating in Minnesota when the craft is underway (not tied up at a dock or permanent
mooring).
Exemptions from wearing
1. When in an enclosed cabin or below the top deck on a watercraft.
2. When on an anchored boat that is a platform for swimmingor diving.
3. When aboard a charter (passenger) craft with a licensed captain.
Interaction with existing federal regulations
Interaction with existing federal regulation requiring children less than 13 to wear life jackets: "Federal regulation automatically adopts state law as the standard under Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) 33 175.25." https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater/pfd_selecting.html
Taken From Diamond Lake Update
March, 2002 – Tom Bonde
“During the winter of 1986-87 “jacking” action of the ice along the northwest shore of Diamond Lake undercut the root systems of about a dozen large 18-24 inch cottonwood trees that had been previously undermined by high water and toppled them onto the ice. My friend and I spent about two weeks in February and March cutting them into manageable lengths and pulling them ashore with my 4-wheel drive. Late that summer I hired a contractor with a backhoe to remove the
stumps and clean up the shoreline, a part-time job that required two weeks.
The trees were all about 50 years old, having developed during the drought years of the 1930s when Diamond Lake was as much as 10 feet lower than the current level. At the present time burr oak trees, which are even older, are threatened by shoreline erosion and could suggest the same fate. Pictures of the area taken from the County Park No. 3 boat ramp in the fall of 1994 show the effect that high lake levels have had upon century old trees, as well as upon shoreline soils.
Soils, which are high in organic matter, have little place in a lake such as Diamond, whether their source is from inflowing streams, field runoff or bank erosion. The lake has nutrients to spare and is enriched to the point where there are obvious water quality problems. While we have little control over precipitation, we do design outlet dams to control water levels. In this case, the dam is perhaps inadequate to handle much above normal outflows.”
August, 2007 – Tom Bonde
“Diamond Lake water levels have been of interest to landowners and visitors alike for as long as anyone can remember. Recently, Gordon Behm found on eBay a postcard of the beach at County Park #3 taken about 1950. It is of historical interest in that it not only shows the beautiful sand, swimming beach extending out 200 feet or more, a large number of swimmers and boaters, but also because you can see about 15 cows enjoying the water just north of the beach (editor’s
note: it has been several years since cattle had direct access to the lake).
The farm to the north of the park has been in my family since 1938 and I recall seeing Diamond Lake at even a lower level than it is now. My father and grandfather had duck blinds dug in the sand at the water’s edge out maybe 200 yards. Perhaps now it is not the best time to talk about high water levels when we are in the midst of a drought. But water levels are extremely important from many standpoints, including the proper operation of septic systems as well as shoreline
erosion. Shoreline erosion is a serious problem in that the soil washed into the lake contains nutrients that spur the growth of algae and aquatic plants. A reduction in the amount of sediment entering the lake from erosion would be extremely beneficial in mitigating the impaired status now applied to Diamond Lake.”
Sound Off Responses
Walking paths on east and south sides of Diamond Lake
on this and the DLARA Board supports the project.
Water Issues – The DLARA Board is working constantly with the Middle Fork Crow
River Watershed District. Water issues are the DLARA Boards #1 concern.
Treating for Chiggers – Each homeowner can treat for chiggers.
Can lake owners get weed control?
Are lawn fertilizers contributing to the green scum? – The phosphorus in fertilizers is
bad for the lake. Another suggestion would be to water your lawn with lake water as
that is high in phosphorus.
Boats/pontoons driving to close to docks/shoreline. – It is the responsibility of the driver. Own your wake. Per the DNR – “Must travel at slow-no wake speed (5 mph or less) within 150 feet of: shore (except when a PWC is launching or landing a water skier by the most direct route to open water), docks, swimmers, swimming rafts, any moored or anchored watercraft or nonmotorized watercraft.”
Stocking fish/removing spawn in and from Diamond Lake – Look at the DNR website for
current information.
Building around the lake – The Kandiyohi County Board is the governing body for this.
Dam concerns on Diamond Lake
contact the DNR.
Ice damage prevention– Mother Nature is in charge.
Loose and barking dogs – There is a County Ordinance.
Upcoming Diamond Lake Events
July 11-12– Quilt Auction, Spicer - https://www.gllm.org/quilt-auction.html
July 19 - WEED FEST - 2-7pm at the county park shelter
July 30-August 3 – Meeker County Fair - https://www.meekerfair.com/
August 5-7 – Farm Fest, Gilfillan Estate, Morgan – https://www.ideaggroup.com/farmfest
August 6-9 – Kandiyohi County Fair, Willmar - kandifair.com
August 6-9 – New London to New Brighton Antique Car Run - antiquecarrun.org
August 16-17 – Fagen Fighters’ Museum 250th Anniversary celebration of US Navy and Marines, Granite Falls - fagenfighterswwiimuseum.org
Various dates – Little Crow Ski Team shows, New London – littlecrow.com
Various dates – Rockin’ Robbins, Willmar – rockinrobbins.com
