Today’s post is about springs on Lake Waconia. We recently marked 3 more active springs on the lake with lath board and flagging tape. This now brings us to 8 springs we have marked in the 2020/2021 winter season. The newly marked springs are located a couple hundred yards south of North Reef, on the southeast side of Kegs Reef, and south of Red’s Reef.
First things first, we aren’t sure if these are technically freshwater springs that are affecting the ice. It could possibly only be trapped gasses such as methane, or it’s a combination of a freshwater spring with gasses. For the purposes of our reports, we refer to them as springs. Regardless of what they are technically called, we have noticed these every year and do what we can to inform you. The information about springs we provide is giving the best representation of where they are located. We will not be posting screenshots of maps for copyright reasons, as well as the fact intensities of springs on the lake can change at any time. Thankfully this winter, the springs seem less active and are therefore smaller right now. Below is a listing of coordinates that can be used to help avoid them, but due to GPS variances is NOT a perfect pinpoint indicator. When we search for these springs each year, we use our coordinates as a guide to get us very close to where we expect the springs to be (as they seem to always be in the same general areas) and then actively chisel the area until we find and mark them. Some years they are easier to spot, due to clear ice and no snow being present. This year is not one of those years.Keep in mind, the listing of spring coordinates below is NOT a complete list. We do not claim to have found every spring on Lake Waconia. However, we have noticed historically that the coordinates given have been the most active areas. If you see our markings, we recommend giving them plenty of space as spring activity can fluctuate over the course of the season. This is also why we always recommend doing your own checking, especially if you plan to go well off the beaten path.
Here’s the list of active springs we have marked this year in order of most to least active…
1. E. of Cemetery Reef: 44° 51.586’ N 93° 46.474’ W
2. W. of Anderson’s Reef: 44° 51.673’ N 93° 46.263’ W
3. S. of Reinke’s Reef: 44° 52.660’ N 93° 46.246’ W
4. N. of Red’s Reef: 44° 52.460’ N 93° 46.230’ W
5. Between Keg’s & NW Side of Island: 44° 51.987’ N 93° 47.241’ W
6. S. of North Reef: 44° 52.351’ N 93° 47.113’ W
7. SE Side of Keg’s Reef: 44° 52.136’ N 93° 46.939’ W
8. S. of Red’s Reef: 44° 52.044’ N 93° 46.346’ W
This is a list of springs that have been active in the past, but seem inactive now or have not been found by us and are therefore not marked…
1. East of Island: 44° 51.651’ N 93° 46.567’ W
2. East of Island: 44° 51.639’ N 93° 46.567’ W
3. Between Wagener’s Bay Access and Rock Dock: 44° 51.608’ N 93° 48.159’ W
4. N. Side of Wagener’s Hole by Pillsbury: 44° 51.962’ N 93° 48.240’ W
5. Between Keg’s & NW Side of Island: 44° 51.940’ N 93° 47.225’ W
6. N. of NE Side of Island: 44° 51.832’ N 93° 47.146’ W
7. SW of North Reef: 44° 52.334’ N 93° 47.298’ W
