2025 Vol 19, Issue 3 June Gem Lake News

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Gem Lake News Page 6 of 8 Annual Report from our Watershed What is a watershed? A watershed is an area of land where all water, whether it be rainfall, snowmelt or runoff, drains into a common point. It is essentially a geographic area, defined not by municipal borders but by its topography and how water flows within it. Virtually every city in the State of Minnesota is part of a watershed district. Most of Gem Lake is part of the Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO). This group is a unit of local government co- created by the cities it covers. VLAWMO covers a part of Gem Lake, Lino Lakes, White Bear Township, White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights and North Oaks. The group uses science and partnerships to protect and improve the water sources in its district. Recently the group released its annual report, which highlighted their major projects, grant programs, regulations, water conservation efforts, and various other subjects. This included the installation of various raingardens, coinciding with street construction projects in the Cities of White Bear and Vadnais Heights. Also, VLAWMO worked in partnership with the North Oaks Homeowner’s Association on restoration efforts on wetland habitats around the Deep Lake Shoreline. Wetland enhancements were also accomplished at Wilkinson Lake VLAWMO awarded 23 grants in 2024. These grants helped fund: o 5 rain barrels o 7 native plant restorations/pollinator gardens o 2 no-mow/low-mow turf replacements o 1 vegetated swale o 6 curb cut raingardens o 6 smart irrigation controllers to reduce groundwater use The VLAWMO watershed is home to 17 lakes, Lambert Creek, and over 500 wetlands. Currently, VLAWMO has 7 lakes impaired for nutrients, and Lambert Creek is impaired for bacteria during storm events. Total Phosphorus (TP) from excess nutrients is one of the most common pollutants threatening local waterbodies. The History of Some of Gem Lakes Street Names Most of us pass street signs hundreds of times each year without knowing much about the folks they are named after. Sound familiar? Here are a few fun facts about several local streets in the Gem Lake area and their name origins: Hoffman Road is named after Henry Hoffman (1898- 1986), whose family first came to the area in the 1890’s. Henry owned the land that is now commonly known as Hoffman’s Corner at the intersection of Highway 61 and County Road E. He was a progressive businessman and turned the area into an important shopping hub, where locals could buy groceries, meats, produce, fresh hamburgers, gas for their cars, and other necessities. Henry also served for over a decade as Gem Lake’s first mayor, beginning his term in 1959. Tessier Road is named after Joe Tessier, who operated a farm and apple orchard approximately where the Structural Wood Company is today. Tessier Road was originally his driveway. He was born around the turn of the last century and died about 40 years ago, according to his nephew Ray Tessier, who still lives in the area. The origins of the name for LaBore Road are somewhat less definite. It may be named after Antoine LaBore, an early settler of possible French-Canadian descent, whose name begins to show up on land surveys in the area around 1847. Antoine LaBore owned land in what is now known as Gem Lake as early as 1874, as did family members Joseph, Leon and Damasa LaBore. Scheuneman Road is reportedly named after Augie Scheuneman, a local farmer of long ago. The street has been there as long as the late Lloyd LaBore, who was born around 1920 could remember. When Lloyd was a child, the road was an unpaved country lane. Mapquest and other on-line mapping apps have not yet made up their minds about the correct spelling of this road. Try googling the Gem Lake Street and you will find Scheuneman, Schuman, Schueuman, Scheunemann, and others. According to local historian and City Council member Jim Linder, the name was originally spelled with two n’s.