Why does our water get high?

Where does our water come from?
Clearwater lake is an underground spring fed lake.   That means we have no direct river or stream that fills our lake.   Our water level is a direct result of rain run off and raising water tables that feed the underground springs.  That also means that our lake level is not controlled by the outflow from another lake. 
Where does our water come go?
Clearwater Lake is the headwater of the Nokasippi watershed. That means that water leaves our lake through the Nokasippi river, flows through Eagle lake onto Nokay lake and eventually reaches the Mississippi River. 
Why is the water so high?
When more water flows into the lake then flows out water levels rise. After a big rain, it is a natural for the water to rise until the excess flows out through the Nokasippi watershed. When things interfere with the "natural" flow our water levels stay high.
So what could interfere with the lake returning to it's normal level? And what can we do?
There can be both natural and man-made bottle necks in the Nakasippi.  The board and many member volunteers have been very active on trying to bring our water level back to normal levels.  As with most issues, there is not a simple answer but a combination of issues.
Road Culverts
Where the waterway flows under Nokay Lake Road, Highway 8, there are culverts.  This restricts the flow in 2 ways.  The culvert is only so big, so it can reach a maximum throughput.  In fact they did reach maximum capicity with this summer's rain.  The board has talked to Crow Wing county about the culvert size.  They are looking into a secondary run off system when the lake reaches extreme levels, like this summer.
The other problem is that they can become blocked with debris.  This prevents water draining away.  It is dangerous to unblock the culverts.  Do not attempt to do this yourself.   Contact us and we will work with the DNR to have them cleared.
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Natural Vegetation
Natural vegetation slows and filter the water.    Under normal water levels this is good.   It prevents flooding and the filter process cleans the water.  It also provides habitat for a variety of wildlife.
Man-made Dams
There are 2 man-made dams in the Nokasippi watershed.  You can see one of the dams at the Clearwater lake boat launch.
Dams of this kind are under management by the DNR and the lake board is working with them to keep the dams wide open until our lake levels normalize. 
Beaver-made Dams
Several beaver dams were discovered by the board when we had the high water levels of 2011.  The Clearwater board worked with the DNR to remove the dams.   Eventually we were awarded a permit to remove the beaver.   The board continues to monitor for new dam activity every year.   There were no dams in 2016 although we saw the presence of beaver in the watershed area.  

We have already removed 3 beaver dams in the Spring of 2017 and there is an active beaver on the south end of the lake too.