Swim Beach

How to make a swim beach legally?

Ok, we bought property and now we are getting into making a swim beach. Its in MN and they have alot of rules and regulations concerning forests and lakes. We have never done anything like this before so we are pretty much clueless on this perticular subject. So what do we have to do? any cites that would help us. We know we are going to have to talk to the DNR before we start, but any pointers on how to start and things to think about?
It is a Private Swim beach

I assume you mean you just want to make it so that you and your family can swim and not make a public beach. If you make a public beach then there will tons of zoning laws and safety requirements plus tons of insurance.
First, you need to check on whether there is any sort of protection or easment on the water. Here in Maryland there may be a conservation easement (like my parents have on their property) where you can't really modify that area at all. The dept of the environment or the zoning commission may know this. Or the plot plan that accompanies your deed to the property should have this info. The property information documents contained with the plot plan when you purchased the property may also discuss your rights to the lake.

Second, talk to others to see what materials they brought to make a more even surface under the water and see what works for them. In maryland some people just dump sand into river edges to make a beach. Sometimes this gets washed away over time. I have family who have property along the st lawrence seaway in northern NY. The ground level was about 8ft above the water line and then the water was about 15 ft deep right in front of them. They added truckloads of large stones (huge ones) then layers of smaller stones the size of golfballs to get is to be about 1 ft deep at the edge and have a gentle slope down to the deep part. then they built a stariway into the cliff to get down to the water. By using big stones they won't have to replenish it ever but the stones hurt some people's feet a little and so most of us wear water shoes like aqua socks (rubber/neoprene shows that cost about $6 at walmart) You will need a contractor to bring in whatever it is you decide on and they may be able to give some pointers on what works.