Stop 1: The Benton Lake Fishing Pier
Welcome. I hope you found the place alright. You’re listening to the Benton Lake Guided Audio Tour, brought to you by the Benton Lake Watershed Conservancy in partnership with the University of Minnesota Extension. There will be a short introduction then you can paddle with me to eight points of interest around the lake. I will explain some history, natural ecology, and conservation efforts surrounding Benton Lake. I hope you enjoy exploring the lake as much as I did.
Stop 1: The Benton Lake Fishing Pier
Hello, and thank you for joining me on today’s tour of Benton Lake. Located in Cologne, Minnesota, Benton Lake is a popular local destination for water activities such as kayaking, fishing, canoeing, and wildlife watching. It has a surface area of 52 acres and is only 7 feet deep at its deepest point. The area that drains to Benton Lake, also known as a watershed, covers 3.5 square miles. All the runoff from the watershed will end up in the lake.
Benton Lake is a No-Wake lake, meaning motorized watercraft are generally not allowed on the lake, as the waves created by their wakes could damage the shoreline and upset the lake’s ecosystem. Waves from boat wakes would also stir up the muddy bottom of the lake, bringing nutrients up into the water column and causing algae blooms. Benton lake is a small lake, not deep enough to have large boats in, nor large enough in surface area to do watersports such as water skiing or wake surfing.
The route we will take follows the lakes’ shoreline and is around 5000 feet, about a mile of paddling. The tour should take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Please, follow me as we explore Benton Lake and discuss the natural wonders in and around the water. Feel free to pause the program if you wish to take more time at a location. Remember to be aware of your surroundings, including other boaters, wildlife, and weather conditions. Follow all boating laws, as well as all other laws and regulations regarding lake use. Now, let's take a trip across… Benton Lake!
To the south is the Benton Lake fishing pier, open for public use. Thanks to the Cologne Lions Club, the Cologne Fire Department, the City of Cologne, and the Benton Lake Watershed Conservancy, this dock allows everyone to enjoy Benton Lake. The smaller dock next to the pier allows boaters to more easily set sail in a canoe, kayak, or other non-motorized boat. There are also benches and picnic tables on the shore in the shade that provide a nice spot to take a break or have a bite to eat. I recommend stopping here after the tour to take a break.
