Official LP Pumping Rules
1. The maximum pumping rate shall be limited so as to not exceed 8,000 gpm or 18 cfs
2. Pumping shall be conducted in a manner that causes only slow and gradual changes in the level of receiving waters, as to avoid sporadic changes in water levels.
3. No pumping is authorized when Buffalo Lake (86-90P) exceeds its NOHW of 915.5 NGVD 1929.
4. No pumping is authorized when Buffalo, Deer, Goose or Mink Lakes are ice covered unless a specific safety plan is submitted and approved in writing by the Area Hydrologist.
5. No pumping is authorized during the period between ice out and June 1, in order to minimize impacts to fish and wildlife resources. Authorization to deviate from this provision may be permitted following a written request by the permittee to the Area Hydrologist, which justifies the need for pumping, a determination from the Department that fish and wildlife resources will not be adversely effected and that the receiving waters are at appropriate levels, and written approval is received from the Area Hydrologist prior to commencement of pumping.
6. The permittee shall coordinate operation of the pumping system with the Area Hydrologist. Under “normal” hydrologic conditions the permittee shall not pump the outlet system when water levels are below 966.0 NGVD 1929. However, pursuant to M.S. Chapter 103G.405, when hydrologic conditions are wetter than normal, and there is sufficient hydrologic evidence to warrant additional drawdown, the permittee may request authorization from the Area Hydrologist to conduct additional drawdown to elevation 964.5 NAVD 1929. The permittee shall indicate the specific conditions that are present justifying the need for the additional pumping. No pumping below elevation 966.0 shall commence prior to written approval of the Department. For the purposes of this condition, it is anticipated that exercise of this authority will generally be limited to fall drawdown typically commencing after September 15 of any given year.
7. The permittee shall provide an annual report of the outlet operations detailing the hours of operation and estimated volumes pumped for the calendar year and itemized by month. This report shall be submitted to the Area Hydrologist by January 15 of each year. The permittee shall also schedule an annual meeting with the Area Hydrologist prior to March 31 of each year to review the annual report and discuss any issues that have arisen through the previous years pumping.
8. The permittee shall insure that every reasonable precaution is taken on the outlet system to prevent inoculation of the downstream receiving waters by Eurasian Watermilfoil. In addition to any other reasonable efforts, the outlet shall be screened such that all water discharged through the system is filtered through a screen with mesh no larger than 0.5 mm. Any modifications to the filtering system must be approved in writing by the Department. [ this entire line #8 was omitted approximately the year 2000 due to the fact that Lake Pulaski had about 6% Euarsian Watermilfoil compared to Buffalo Lake having about 26% ]