Lake Ripley has drawn people to its picturesque circular shore for more than 150 years.

Litchfield was settled in 1856 and early entrepreneurs built Brightwood Beach resort in 1889 on the south shore, drawing visitors by train from states near and far.

Early photos of people enjoying the lake reveal that Lake Ripley was a recreational draw for fishing, boating and swimming.

Tides of enthusiasm among residents continued for years, resulting in several parks around the lake, a 33-site recreational vehicle campground with lakeshore access for each site, golf course, botanical garden and restaurant.

The tide of enthusiasm later ebbed. A lake association formed, but after a number years stopped meeting. By 2002, water clarity was only two feet and weed patches clogged and stalled boat motors. It seemed time for the tide to turn again.

Dr. David Ross moved to Litchfield in 2002 and inquired about the lake association. Several phone calls later, meetings started again.

The association learned about the negative effects of curled pondweed found in the lake. Ross and the other volunteers started a fundraising campaign, and hired a company to treat the weeds at a cost of $300 per acre. Thirty acres were treated initially. Water clarity improved from two-foot visibility to eight-foot visibility during the first year.

Lake association members presented the results to the Litchfield City Council and asked for an annual budget of $10,000 to treat weeds and work on lake improvements. Council members agreed. Today, water clarity continues to improve.

The association also has been active in building a swimming beach with buoys and wood platform outlook. The beach is groomed weekly. Also added to the beach is a new outdoor shower to help visitors avoid swimmer’s itch after spending time in the water.

Lake Ripley was named to honor pioneer Dr. Frederick Noah Ripley, who froze to death near its shores during the winter of 1856-1857. Now, 154 years later, another doctor is among the lake association volunteers caring for the rippling waters of Lake Ripley.

Lake Ripley Improvement Association
Lake Ripley Improvement Association meets at 7 p.m. the second Sunday of each month at the Litchfield Public Library. Anyone interested can attend. Membership is $25 for a basic membership, with larger levels available.

Donations to LRIA improvement fund can be mailed to City of Litchfield c/o Lake Ripley Improvement Association, 126 Marshall Ave. N., Litchfield, MN 55355. For more information, contact Dr. Dave Ross at 320-593-1872, or skiross@hutchtel.net.

Lake Ripley statistics
Acres: 556
Depth: 18 feet
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2005 fish survey found:
• Fair number of northern pike, averaging 22.8 inches
• Moderate number of walleye, averaging 20 inches (these were last stocked in 1981, which indicates Lake Ripley naturally reproducing, sustaining walleye fishery)
• Moderate number of bluegill, averaging 5 inches
• Fair number of black crappie
• Fair number of largemouth bass (good numbers likely, survey was only near shore)
• Moderate number of yellow and black bullhead