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The Monster Bog of North Long Lake in Brainerd/Merrifield

Brainerd Dispatch

There is a monster threatening the residents of North Long Lake near Brainerd. Last October, on Friday the 13th, a monster bog broke off and began drifting around North Long Lake north of Brainerd.  It's not unusual for bogs to break loose, but this one is huge.  It weighs about 4 thousand tons - that's 8 million pounds!  It's about 4 acres in size; and it's made up of muck and plants like bullrushes and tamarack trees. 

Before settling near Legionville Beach on the east side of the lake, the bog took out some docks and boat lifts, and threatened other shoreline habitat and property.  The beach is owned by the Brainerd American Legion.  The Legion had to cancel its annual safety camp for 600 kids because the bog poses a safety hazard. 

Last month more than three dozen volunteers hooked a flotilla of boats with thousands of horsepower to the bog but it didn't budge, or you might say their efforts bogged down.  They did make some progress in removing the bog last weekend. 

Heidi Holtan is KAXE's Director of Content and Public Affairs where she manages producers and is the local host of Morning Edition from NPR. Heidi is a regional correspondent for WDSE/WRPT's Duluth Public Television’s Almanac North.