The Ada Lake Association was formed on September 8, 1982, by concerned lake residents who felt the need, "To create and maintain a common interest in the safe and considerate use of Lake Ada." The Association's first slate of officers, elected in December, included Bud Peterson, President; Newman Tuttle, Vice President; Dave Rother, Secretary; and Vi Smith, treasurer.

By 1983 the Association had made contacts with the Coalition of Lake Associations (COLA), the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Over 50 families had registered as members, a mailing list had been created, and a positive treasury was established. More importantly, a general understanding of what an association could achieve was beginning to unfold, and members were forwarding ideas for future projects.

The Association continued to build membership through 1984. Although fishing quality continued to be the primary Association concern, water quality, water safety and social activities were becoming areas of increased interest. It was decided the Association could function more effectively with an enhanced feeling of community spirit, and several social events were planned. The first Lake Ada picnic was held, a newsletter, later to be named the Lake Ada DockPost, was established, and a sailing regatta was organized. The Association distributed water safety study packages, installed navigation markers, initiated a fishing contest, and began to study water quality issues. By fall 1984, Association membership had reached 100 families.

Arlene Naylon, of the Deep Portage Conservation Reserve, addressed the April 1984, Association meeting, introducing Lake Ada residents to the Secchi disk and the concept of measuring water clarity as a means of keeping abreast of potential changes in water quality. In August 1984, the Ada Lake Association began its continuing association with the Citizen's Lake Monitoring Program (CLMP).

In 1986 the Association began to actively encourage the concept of catch and release fishing. In conjunction with the MN DNR, a voluntary catch and release program was established and a sign placed at the public access. Lake Ada Catch and Release brochures were printed and distributed to all residents. The slogan, "Invest in the future: Support Catch & Release Fishing", was adopted and remains part of the program to make fishermen more aware of the importance of Selective Harvest. 1986 also marked the Association's first Lake Ada Directory.

Don Adams, of the MPCA, addressed the Ada board of directors in 1986, and later recommended that Lake Ada be one of the first Minnesota lakes to receive funding for a Lake Assessment Program (LAP). Water tests were completed during the summer of 1986 and the subsequent report, completed in February 1987, provided the Association with a benchmark of Lake Ada's water quality. While the PCA report concluded that Lake Ada was a clear lake, it also indicated, "The lake could exhibit a measurable decline in transparency with only a small increase in phosphorus."

In 1989 the Association began a second phase of water testing. Westlake Aerial Services of Walker was contracted to photograph Lake Ada from the air in an attempt to determine likely locations of high nutrient loading. Well samples were also drawn at 13 locations in an attempt to better understand ground water migration patterns. In August of 1990, phase three began, and Instrumental Research, Inc., of Minneapolis, was hired to take water samples in front of each lakefront property with an operating septic system. All samples were tested for fecal coliform, and additional chemical analyses were conducted at 22 locations determined to be atypical.

The Ada Lake Association actively supported the formation of the Association of Cass County Lakes (ACCL), and in 1989 became a member of the Minnesota Lakes Association, an organization dedicated to the preservation of Minnesota's lakes and streams.

1990 marked an expanded CLMP effort as well as the addition of Lake Level Minnesota water-level monitoring. New channel markers were purchased, and hazard markers were added at three locations to warn boaters of submerged rocks. Lake Ada joined the Cass County Sheriff's Neighborhood Watch program and the Cass County Lake Advocate program. MN Extension Service brochures containing septic system information were distributed to all lake residents.

A 1993 Association questionnaire determined maintaining or improving Lake Ada's water quality had become the top priority among Ada Association members. As a result, in 1994, Instrumental Research was again approached to conduct water testing at Lake Ada. During this project, samples were drawn in front of all lakefront residences with septic systems, and all samples were tested for fecal coliform, ammonia and orthophosphorus. Many residents with test readings above lake averages did further testing, took closer looks at land and water use practices and, in some cases, elected to replace outdated septic systems. Interest and awareness in maintaining water quality increased markedly.

Summer of 1997 marked the beginning of phase four of the Lake Ada water quality program. Following a December 1996 Association questionnaire, in which 91% of participating Lake Ada lakefront landowners voted positively, the Cass County Office of Environmental Services and the Ada Lake Association began a comprehensive onsite survey of lakefront septic systems. Although some initial delays were encountered, the survey was ultimately expanded to include 29 off-lake properties and is now in the final stages of the corrective phase.

As a supplement to previous water quality data, the Association began regular HydroLab testing in 1998; HydroLab testing is an ongoing project. During the summers of 1999 and 2000 chemical testing was also accomplished with A.W. Research of Brainerd; chemical testing is planned as a reoccurring five-year project. Data from Citizen's Lake Monitoring, Lake Level Minnesota and all water testing programs is shared with MN DNR and MPCA.

In August 2001, Environmental Services of Cass County invited the Ada Lake Association to become a participant in the 2001 Initiative Healthy Lakes Partnership. Eight volunteers from Lake Ada attended two seminars at the Deep Portage Environmental Learning Center during which the purposes of the Healthy Lakes Partnership and the Healthy Lakes Foundation were outlined. A Lake Management Plan was subsequently completed and filed with Healthy Lakes, Cass County Environmental Services, MN DNR and MPCA. Copies were also mailed to all Lake Ada landowners.

The Association is also involved with Minnesota Loon Watchers. Loons are regularly counted and four loon nesting platforms, along with markers, are placed on the lake soon after ice-out. Annual reports are forwarded to the MN DNR non-game wildlife program. Little Lake Ada was established as a No-Wake Zone in 2002, and "No-Wake" markers were added in an attempt to protect the pristine quality of Little Ada.

Since its founding, the Ada Lake Association, currently representing over 145 families, has attempted to create an awareness of the aesthetic benefits derived from a natural shoreline vista. Landowners are encouraged to repair or refinish buildings and roofs to blend with natural surroundings. Vegetation shields and shoreline buffers are strongly encouraged.

An annual membership meeting gives residents the opportunity to express their views, select Association officers and meet other landowners with similar interests and concerns, while a summer picnic and business meeting provides interaction in an informal setting. There is pride among Lake Ada residents, and the Association tries to encourage this spirit by making Lake Ada t-shirts, sweatshirts and fishing caps available to members. The Lake Ada DockPost continues to be distributed to all Lake Ada landowners.

The Ada Lake Association is a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation under Minnesota state law and Article 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. 

The Association is dedicated to "Preserving and Protecting Lake Ada"