Jan Evans and Richard Diercks

Jan Evans and her husband, Richard Diercks, weren't necessarily looking for a lake home back in 1997. But they knew the perfect location when they saw it. When their realtor notified them of a new listing on Lake of the Isles, Evans and Diercks drove from their downtown offices to the house.

As they both pulled in front of the house at the same time, they noted their commute from downtown Minneapolis took no more than seven minutes. Not bad. They were also pleasantly surprised that the house was actually on the channel between Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake, and on a very quiet, rather difficult-to-find street.That earned extra points.

And then there was the house itself - situated on a perfect spot near the water, affording beautiful views. It didn't take the couple long to decide that this house needed to be theirs.

"This house spoiled us so quickly," Evans said."It's like going to a weekend home. I leave my office downtown and in a few minutes, the scenery changes.All of a sudden, I'm sitting on my deck having coffee on the lake."

While most homes on Lake of the Isles are set back from the lake 80 to 100 feet, Evans' and Diercks' house is closer to the water.That means they're also a little closer to the area's wildlife.

"There's an amazing amount of wildlife here," Diercks said. "We have the usual assortment of ducks and geese, but herons and egrets also feed in the lagoon.This past fall,we were surprised to see a kingfisher and a dozen goldfinches, and we watch for the oriole family that comes back every year." Occasionally, deer wander through the neighborhood, and at least two foxes make their residence near the lake.

"You get to know not only your neighbors but your 'extended neighbors' because we're all out near the lake.We chat about what's happening on the lake or about gardening."

Evans and Diercks agreed that living on Lake of the Isles is different than living on Lake Minnetonka.As one example, motorboats are prohibited on Lake of the Isles. Canoes and kayaks are the norm. Bass boats are fairly common, however, but their operators use electric trolling motors. Diercks said many people would be surprised at the type and size of fish caught in city lakes, including a record tiger muskie caught on Lake Calhoun several years ago. He recalled its weight at about 37 pounds.

Blending town and country

The mix of town and country suits them just fine."We do hear planes overhead, but I like that connection," Evans said. "Then you hear the frogs making noise. It's such a nice blend. In five minutes, you're downtown, yet you live with egrets." Another aspect Evans loves about lakeside living is the change of seasons."In the winter, the snow and ice are so beautiful, and then we can see life come back so vigorously in the spring." Being so close to nature enriches that change of season, she said. "Even in winter, this part of the lake is so quiet and beautiful. One neighbor's family uses the lake for ice skating and we see cross-country skiers nearby." "In the winter, it is absolutely beautiful here," Diercks said. "Even though we are in the city, our yard is very pristine. There is no foot traffic by our house in the winter."

Winter's coat adds even more beauty to the lake and to their home.Outdoor lighting makes the snow sparkle.As Evans described,"It's like being in a postcard."

In the summer, the couple adds beauty of their own with an abundance of flower gardens and flower boxes.

"We feel very blessed to be here," Diercks said."We have all the advantages of being in the city.We're never isolated, yet we have this peaceful, water-oriented environment within a 10-minute commute from work. You can't beat it."

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Beth Lindahl-Urben

Beth Lindahl-Urben’s “new” home was built in 1906 on Lake of the Isles. Its less-than-ideal condition actually had kept it on the market for a relatively long time. To Lindahl- Urban, the house was an opportunity to beautify a rough-looking gem in one of her favorite settings.

Before she moved to her favored city lake, Lindahl-Urben had walked and run its paths for 20 years. She continues to join the many people who walk, run or bike around the lake year-round. Many of those visitors don’t realize that the very real isles in the middle of Lake of the Isles are actually wildlife sanctuaries, home to species such as egrets and herons.

She finds Lake of the Isles a quieter, more peaceful lake than other city lakes, such as Calhoun.That quiet and peacefulness abounds during holidays — when many homeowners and lake visitors leave the city. When she wasn’t working or working out, Lindahl-Urben completed extensive renovation on her home. One of the crowning achievements is an open front porch with a pergola, and lots of decks. Situated on the lake’s east side, Lindahl-Urben describes incredible lake views from virtually every vantage point, whether outdoor or indoor. “You can be in the house and still relate to the lake,” she said.

Having a virtually “all-glass” exterior certainly enhances the view and the home’s connection to the lake.While its architecture isn’t typical for this urban lakefront, Lindahl- Urben said it is perfect for seeing “our frozen prairie” in the winter, when the view through the trees is less obstructed.

“One of the nicest seasons on the lake is winter,” Lindahl- Urben said.“You have incredible views and it is much quieter.The lakes really empty out. It’s like living in the middle of a park.”

Clarity of city lakes highly visible

Two million people visit Minneapolis lakes each year — more than those visiting the Grand Canyon. Steve McComas believes many of those visitors would be surprised at the clarity and water quality of Minneapolis’ lakes. McComas is an aquatic scientist and owner of the consulting firm Blue Water Science.

Minneapolis lake water began deteriorating in the 1800s, he said, when shorelines were modified as homes were built on city lakes. Dredging and filling in wetlands also decreased water quality.

The good news is that officials charged with managing the city’s lakes today are making a difference, McComas said. For example, they have been active with storm water management, retro-fitting storm basins to improve run-off water quality. Another tool used to improve lake water quality is the same compound often used to keep canned pickles crisp: alum. When used in lakes, alum ties up phosphorus, keeping it from being used by algae. Minnesota’s recent phosphorus ban should further prevent algae growth in area lakes.

Workers at Lake Nokomis recently tried another method: removing carp from the lake. Carp have an adverse impact on water quality, McComas said. Improving the water quality means that more desirable fish can survive. Walleye, sunfish and muskies are among fish that need better-quality water to thrive.

“Improving the water quality of Minneapolis lakes has been a real success story,” McComas said. “It’s one of the more comprehensive urban lake improvement projects in the country.”

McComas’ second book, “Lake and Pond Management Guidebook” is scheduled to hit bookstores in December. The book, targeted to lake home and cabin owners, provides information on hundreds of topics, from managing mosquito populations to improving lake water clarity.

The Great Minneapolis Lakes Mystery

Today’s $64,000 question: Name the 22 lakes within the city of Minneapolis.

The Greater Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association Web site states that Minneapolis has 22 lakes. Calls to the association, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources did not result in a list of 22 lake names. Finding one list of names apparently is difficult because the city’s lakes are managed by various jurisdictions, including Hennepin County and the DNR.The DNR Web site lists Hennepin County bodies of water by water access, but the DNR does not maintain a list of those within Minneapolis. A preliminary check of atlases and other maps did not find one that identified all 22 lakes.

A contact at the Minneapolis Public Library information line had a list of the following 16 Minneapolis lakes. (Some of the 16 are not on the DNR's Web site listing of Hennepin County water accesses.)

Birch Pond	Brownie Lake	Lake Calhoun	Cedar Lake
Diamond Lake	Lake Harriet	Lake Hiawatha	Lakes of the Isles
Longfellow Lakelet	Loring Park Lake	Meadowbrook Lake	Lake Nokomis
Powderhorn Lake	Spring Lake	Charles C. Webber Lake	Theodore Wirth Lake

 

The six Minneapolis lakes connected by Minnehaha Creek are described as the city's "chain of lakes." Because their lakeshore is public property, the lakes attract leisure and fitness walkers, bicyclists, in-line skaters, roller skaters, skateboarders, joggers and people walking their dogs.

According to a description of the six lakes on the Web site twincities.citysearch.com:

• Cedar Lake is home to a legendary nude beach,
• Lake of the Isles is the most private and romantic,
• Lake Calhoun has the best people-watching, being so close to Uptown,
• Lake Harriet is the family lake, with a nice beach, a band shell and a famous rose garden,
• Lake Nokomis has softball, good fishing and, usually, the most car buffs, and
• Lake Hiawatha has a golf course.

The connecting lakes include a number of parks along the chain and a 13.3-mile biking-walking-jogging path that encircles them all. The city's 6,400-acre park system was designed so that every home in Minneapolis is within six blocks of green space.

 

Winter activities

Frozen water for recreational use is widely available in Minneapolis each winter - whether on or off city lakes. More than 30 ice rinks are available at Minneapolis parks for skating, hockey and broomball. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board also maintains an indoor facility with three rinks.

Trails are groomed for cross-country skiing, with some trails lighted. The Wirth Winter Recreation Area rents snow tubes, ski equipment and snowshoes for the whole family, and provides cross-country skiing lessons.

Locations of cross-country skiing, sledding and ice skating areas along the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway are noted on a map of winter activities at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's Web site.

Quick Links

• Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
• City of Minneapolis
• Explore Minnesota
• Greater Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association
  

By Barb Umberger

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