Our History
Early Years
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1959 – Bass Lake home building began on the southwest shore.
1960 - Ordinance passed in 1960 and effective in January 1962 renamed the streets of the area. Roggeman Road became Zachary Lane, Schmidt’s Crossroads became Larch Lane, and Suicide Drive now has the more savory name of Pineview Lane. 1962 – Ice fishing a flourishing activity. Fish houses of all descriptions created villages of 50-60 winter quarters. Auto racing on the ice popular activity. A track encircling the island was plowed from Ryan’s Ballroom, now “Oakwood Shores”, providing an area for the 25 to 30 small car racers to compete. 1962 – Shingle Creek was dredged from Pomerleau Lake to Bass Lake in July 1962 for the purpose of developing Hampton Hills Golf Course. 1962 –Lake freezes out and ice fishing dwindles. In the spring of 1962, Libby’s Ballroom collapses under heavy snow. 1966 April – Train derailment isolates the people living in Larch Heights Lagoon for 24 hours. Pre-1967 - Hunting was permitted in the area 1967 – Libby owned a store across the road which was burned by fire department in the spring of 1967. A new store was built in 1968 1967 – Shingle Creek dredged providing lake access to more homes on the south side of Bass Lake. This area is now known as Bass Lake Lagoon or Larch Heights Lagoon. 1969 -The road, 53rd Avenue North was constructed around the lagoon to connect Birch Valley with Larch Lane giving the homeowners a second, more convenient exit from the area. 1971 - Pride in our neighborhood provided the impetus for the annual Earth Day in the spring of 1971. It provided a sociable way to rid our public areas of the debris which accumulated as a result of the rapid building of new homes during the suburban expansion
1971- July 4th Family Picnic including Kiddie Parades, boat races, games, good food and friendly conversations with neighbors. Flakey Frolics winter event with outdoor activities followed by a dinner at Ryan’s Ballroom. 1973 – The Golf Outing began. 1974 -The Bowling Bash added. 1975 - An era ended when Ryan’s Ballroom burned on November 25th 1975. The spectacular night-time blazed brought tears to the eyes of many as they recalled the good times that had been had in that landmark. 1974-5 –Severe freeze out. The water level in the autumn of 1974 had been very low so the three feet of ice that formed that winter reduced the oxygen level needed to maintain the fish. The deep snow pack, resulting from a severe storm in January 1975, resulted in further blocking the sunlight needed to sustain lake plants and the large number of fish trying to survive in a small section of the deepest water. Not until spring thaw was the extent of the freeze known. Fifteen tons of dead fish had to be removed from the shoreline near Palmer’s Grove. The City of Plymouth donated the use of a truck for the thirty BLIA families to use to load the fish. 1978-79 – Another freeze out took most of the remaining fish. BLIA funds were used to purchase two aerators and restock the lake with 5000 Bass and 100 Northern. The aerators have been placed in the lake each year when the oxygen content falls to a certain level. They have prevented complete fish kills except for a partial kill in the winter of 1988-89 which prompted the planting of additional Bass and Northern during the summer. Northern as large as 36 inches have been caught here. The City of Plymouth, with input and encouragement from BLIA, developed Timbershores Park with walk-in, bike-in, portage-in paved and gravel areas. There are floating walkways, a fishing dock, picnic areas, ball fields, children’s play areas, woodlands, marsh areas and ponds for wonderful sunsets, bird viewing, exercising, and fishing.
1990’s – When BLIA was formed in 1970, the area was sparsely populated with 30 plus homeowners living on the lake or lagoon. Since that time the area has increased to over 400 homes in the originally defined area.
1994 - In the spring, it was voted to limit the membership to those owning homes on the lake or lagoons or having deeded access to the lake, but including those who have shown their interest by having current paid memberships to BLIA. The smaller group will be strengthened by its common interest in the maintenance of the lake and the watershed area. 1995 – A small lot was purchased at he end of the “A” Lagoon for the purpose of building a boat ramp for the SEASONAL USE of BLIA members. A schedule of times for boat launching is mailed to members each season. 1990‘s: Birch Valley celebrates National Night Out with picnics. Late 1990’s – We discovered the dreaded non-native invader, Eurasion Milfoil. In addition, we battle Non-native Curley leaf Pondweed. Beneficial to the lake cleanliness are Cattails and Duckweed. We also have Coontail, Wild Celery, Northern Watermilfoil as well as various pondweeds. We enjoy White Water Lily and Spatterdock (Yellow water lily). We have had bulrushes which cleanse the water and provide important food and nesting areas for the eco-system. Occasionally, we find it necessary to treat for algae...filamentous (pond scum, water net, frog spittle, moss) and plankton (blue-green, scum, waterbloom Socials included golf games, BBQ’s, pool parties. Dredging of Larch Heights Channel occurred in March 09. We have experienced droughts for the last 3 years. A new Pump Station was built and 5 street rain gardens were built in to help the water quality of the lake.
Launch gates replaced Shingle Creek watershed/water quality TMDL’s Dredging discussion & bids Boat launch legal decisions Algae control. Non-native weed control City looks at giving Outlots A & E to BLIA, State of MN will not allow Bass re-stock. Survey of Out lot A & D Survey of Out lot C (Boat Launch) Out lots D & E (rules and care). 2009 - Larch Heights Lagoon channel was dredged to allow boat passage. Funded by BLIA general fund & those with lagoon rights 2010 Communication converts from mailings to email. BLIA website created. Shingle Creek Watershed District & City of Plymouth look at options to reduce phosphorus in lake 2014-2017 Summers - many trees down on boat launch area. Boat launch completely rebuilt and paved Landscaping begins around boat launch. BLIA records 1970-current are scanned and digitally stored. 2016 BLIA Directory updated & revised in new software for easier updating & emailing Email communications increased to promote BLIA community involvement and awareness Membership is at all-time high. 2017 Mechanical Harvester pilot test 2017 Phosphorus Reduction Program Alum Treatment 2018 process begins 2018 Boat launch commons area– extensive landscape work & riprap added to stop erosion |
