Education, Involvement & Communication

The Lake Washington Improvement Association’s goal is to keep all stakeholders educated, informed, knowledgeable and involved in matters impacting the lake and surrounding areas. Also, to provide direct lines and means of communication with all people concerned with the life, health and well-being of the Lake Washington community.

Our Goals

Strategies to Support our Goal

Hold 2 public meetings annually to inform and discuss lake topics. Meetings are in May and August.
Publish 3 newsletters per year to inform membership of current issues, planned actions, and upcoming events.
Use Shoreline Captains as a means to gather and provide information and bring feed-back from lake shore owners directly to the board.
Maintain working relationships with the MnDNR, Crow River Organization of Waters (CROW), local and state Soil and Water Conservation, Meeker County Commissioners, Meeker County Association of Lakes (MCAL), and Townships to keep members informed of changes to rules, laws, and new information.

Provide local, county and state officials with current information on issues, subjects and concerns of the lake community.
Continuously improve and update the Lake Washington web site and periodically update the Lake Washington Directory.
Form committees to understand issues, develop ideas and provide knowledge necessary to make informed decisions.
The lake association through donations installed a Civil Defense warning alarm siren at the Ellsworth Landing. This siren is maintained by the Meeker County Sheriff’s Department.
Encourage lake residents to support “Neighborhood Watch”, “Crime Stoppers”, and Code Red notifications.

Ice Out History

Lake Washington tracks the dates when the ice is off the lake. The “official” ice out dates are in the third generation for tracking. It started with Hazel Gayner in 1954, her son Dean Gayner taking over in 1999, and Dean’s daughter Jenna O’Brian taking over in 2010.

The rule for ice out is that everyone must be able to get their dock in. Jenna has a number of volunteers around the lake who help keep her honest and report if too much ice is still present. In the end, it is her call.

Did you know?

Personal watercraft must travel a slow – no wake speed (5 mph or less) within 150 feet of non-motorized boats, shore, docks, swim rafts, swimmers, or any anchored boat.

Operation is allowed from 9:30am – 1 hour before sunset. You may not travel through emergent or floating vegetation (such as Lake Washington bay areas) at greater than slow – no wake speed.

Education, Involvement & Communication

Our Goals

Strategies to Support our Goal

Ice Out History

Did you know?

Personal watercraft must travel a slow – no wake speed (5 mph or less) within 150 feet of non-motorized boats, shore, docks, swim rafts, swimmers, or any anchored boat.

Operation is allowed from 9:30am – 1 hour before sunset. You may not travel through emergent or floating vegetation (such as Lake Washington bay areas) at greater than slow – no wake speed.

Latest Directory

List of Members

Shoreline Captain Map

Shoreline Captain Roles

AIS Management

Water Quality Management

Watershed Management

WildLife Management