Sunset photo

LAKE INFORMATION

High Water Notice

Posted notice: Briggs, Julia, Rush, and Big Elk have no event at this time.

When does Slow – No Wake apply?

A High Water Notice will be issued requiring a Slow – No Wake speed at all times when water levels exceed:

964.2 feet
Briggs Lake, Rush Lake or Lake Julia.

962.2 feet
Big Elk Lake.

These thresholds apply to the upper three lakes and/or Big Elk Lake. Stay tuned for further updates.

MEMBERSHIP

Join the BLCA

Online registration

Sunset on the Briggs Lake Chain

BRIGGS LAKE CHAIN ASSOCIATION

Four lakes. One community.

Briggs. Julia. Rush. Big Elk.

Caring for our lakes and connecting the people who call them home.

Stay connected

Read our newsletters and sign up to receive future issues.

Newsletters & sign-up

Plan your visit

Find meeting dates and community activities in one place.

Open the calendar

Protect our lakes

Learn about aquatic invasive species and control options.

AIS information & sign-up

OUR MISSION

Healthy lakes. A connected community.

To promote the care, improvement and general welfare of the Briggs Lake Chain and adjoining and connecting waterways.

The Briggs Lake Chain includes Briggs, Julia, Rush and Big Elk lakes near Clear Lake in Sherburne County, Minnesota.

Working alongside TLID

The Three Lake Improvement District (TLID) is a local government unit serving the upper three lakes. Its charge includes managing aquatic invasive species and other lake projects.

Explore the Three Lake Improvement District

Map of Briggs, Julia, Rush and Big Elk lakes

MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS

Gather around the lakes.

Meetings, traditions and community connections.

Association meetings

BLCA general meetings
June and August

TLID annual meeting
August

Palmer Town Hall
4180 105th Ave., Clear Lake, MN

Area special events

Independence Day celebrations
Boat parade & fireworks: July 3

See the calendar for the current year’s schedule and updates.

Ice Day participant holding a fish

Ice Day on the chain

More community events

LAKE STEWARDSHIP

Keep our waters healthy.

Practical information for boaters and lakeshore residents.

Aquatic invasive species

Learn about AIS, prevention and invasive-species control.

AIS information & control sign-up

Protect Our Lakes: Sherburne County Water Equipment Cleaning Handout

PLM Corp. provides aquatic invasive control services for public waters.

Learn more about PLM Corp.

Minnesota boater education

Beginning July 1, 2025, Minnesota’s boater-education law requires some adults and youth operating motorboats, including personal watercraft, to have a valid watercraft operator’s permit.

Requirements phase in by age. Check the Minnesota DNR for current requirements and exemptions.

View across the lake

WATER QUALITY

See what the water tells us.

Explore the published testing results. A huge thank you to Walt Munsterman and the whole water testing team!

2024 water testing results

View graphs of the 2024 water-testing findings.

2023 water testing archive

Graphs, the township-board report, and the volunteer and testing-date list.

2023 water-testing graphs

Report to the Township Board 2023

2023 water-sample volunteers & testing dates

View lake-management photos
Equipment aboard a lake-management boat
Aquatic vegetation near the shoreline

BE PART OF THE CHAIN

Join your lake community.

Register online with the Briggs Lake Chain Association.

Questions? Get in touch.

Contact the BLCA at blca@briggslakechainassociation.com, or send us a message below.

Send a message to the BLCA