Watery Woes For St. Michael's Beebe Lake Residents

It's a warm, sunny Thursday on Beebe Lake. Brian Hall's boat moves through the water slowly, so as not to create a wake on the high water. 

We make our way to the regional park.

"Where in the world?" he asks, cutting himself off. 

No one is on the lake. Yet. 

With high 80s and abundant sunshine expected, that will change. But Beebe, which has become a decent fishing lake over the last few years, is dead quiet. There are no other boats, no guests on shore. 

"I can't believe no one is out here today," Hall said. 

The truth is, the high water on Beebe Lake is doing more than just damaging shorelines. It's hurting business. There's no one fishing, spreading fish stories. There's no one enjoying the sun. 

Like Hall said ... nothing. 

Beebe Lake's water levels - the lake has been above the Minnesota DNR recommended levels of less than 6 feet at the Swanson's Gauge since June - are at record heights. 

It's not seeing structural flooding as it did in 2002, because property owners have built up their lands with rip-rap, retaining walls and earth. Through the DNR, some have even put in buffer strips. 

Still, boathouses have waves lapping up against the wall, and sandbags are seen all over the northeast bay. 

"I think it seemed worse in 2002 because of the low-lying areas. But it's as high. Or almost as high. One more good storm and we'll be there," said Kris Olson, a key member of the Beebe Lake Improvement Association and resident. 

"There are about 50 homes on the entire lake," Hall added. "I'd say 60 percent of them have built up the line since 2002. The fear, then, was that this would be a chronic problem. Right now, it seems like we're in a cycle."

That's despite a flood gate to Mud Lake that's been opened twice this year (it's closed now - Mud is too high) and a pump that the City of St. Michael operates 24/7 that moves water from Beebe through a culvert into the Scharber Wetlands. 

"Our only hope is that there's a dry fall and very little snowfall this winter," Olson said. "But, it really doesn't feel like that's going to happen, as much water as we've gotten this summer." 

Indeed, July was a story of extremes when it comes to weather. Hot temps broke heat index records. Rain fell in sheets several times. The month saw more than double the average rainfall. And the lake will have a no-wake zone in effect until Labor Day (300 yards from shore).

"Right now, I'm dreading next spring," Olson said. 

The City of St. Michael is providing sandbags to homeowners, and sand. Volunteers will be needed if the lake goes any higher, which it could if heavy storms hit the area this weekend, as predicted for Saturday. 

For more information, check out the Beebe Lake Improvement Association Hotline at 763-515-2639. The association is also on Faceook.