2018 Trout Brook Watershed Initiative Phase 2
This project will improve surface water quality within Trout Brook and it will improve surface water in the Cannon River. Trout Brook, a designated trout stream, is impaired for excess nitrates and is a tributary to the Cannon River, which is impaired for turbidity. The project will focus on the installation of best management practices (BMPs) that will reduce the amount of sediment transport within the watershed, reduce the amount of sediment that is reaching Trout Brook, and reduce the amount of sediment conveyed to the Cannon River.
Sediment reduction strategies have been prioritized in local water management plans and through TMDL implementation plans for the Cannon River and Trout Brook. Specific BMPs have been targeted for this project based on a completed subwatershed analysis which evaluated potential practices that would yield the greatest sediment reductions. 346 projects were identified and ranked through the subwatershed analysis, and field reconnaissance has been completed for all identified practices to determine feasibility. A cost-benefit ranking was developed to prioritize projects based on the cost per ton of sediment reduction over the contract life of each practice.
Of the 346 practices that were identified and ranked, efforts are already underway and funding has been secured to install many of the top 50 ranked practices. This project is Phase 2 of the Trout Brook Watershed Initiative and will focus on the next-highest ranked practices. This project specifically targets practices with an annualized sediment reduction cost of less than $30 per ton of sediment. Approximately 20 practices will be installed through this project which will reduce an estimated 670 tons of sediment per year. Installation of the highest impact and most cost effective practices will result in a quantifiable reduction of sediment that reaches Trout Brook and will directly address the turbidity impairment identified within the Cannon River.
Annie Felix-Gerth
(b) $6,882,000 the first year and $12,618,000 the second year are for grants to protect and restore surface water and drinking water; to keep water on the land; to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; and to protect groundwater and drinking water, including feedlot water quality and subsurface sewage treatment system projects and stream bank, stream channel, shoreline restoration, and ravine stabilization projects. The projects must use practices demonstrated to be effective, be of long-lasting public benefit, include a match, and be consistent with total maximum daily load (TMDL) implementation plans, watershed restoration and protection strategies (WRAPS), or local water management plans or their equivalents. A portion of these funds may be used to seek administrative efficiencies through shared resources by multiple local governmental units.
The primary measureable outcome of this project is the reduction of sediment transport within the watershed. This project will reduce an estimated 670 tons of sediment per year. Sediment reduction will result in lower turbidity and improved water quality within Trout Brook, a designated trout stream, and lower turbidity and improved water quality in the Cannon River, which is impaired for excess turbidity. This project will install approximately 20 practices throughout the watershed.
Grant funds funded this project to achieve 743 tons of sediment reduced/year, exceeding the proposed goal. Project also achieved 1,611 tons of soil savings/year, 806 pounds of phosphorus reduction per year, and 2557 pounds of nitrogen/year.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS