Water Quality Improvement Projects for the Big Sandy Lake Watershed

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2010 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$103,128
Fund Source
Clean Water Fund
Recipient
Aitkin Soil and Water Conservation District
Recipient Type
Local/Regional Government
Status
Completed
Activity Type
Restoration/Enhancement
Counties Affected
Aitkin
Aitkin
Project Overview

The Big Sandy Area Lakes Watershed Management Project has developed innovative projects to protect and improve water quality, wildlife, and the fishery resources in the Big Sandy Lake Watershed since 1991. Projects have focused on the main ecological problems and sources of nutrient loading to Big Sandy and other watershed lakes. A Clean Water Fund Grant provided funding for nine demonstration projects that continue this work. Projects planned for this area focus on controlling shoreline erosion and overland runoff that carries soil and nutrients to the lakes.

Work has begun on three Rain Garden Projects - one at a public swimming beach in Cromwell, another in the city of Tamarack, and the third on Lake Minnewawa. This variety of locations will provide a good variety of examples that are readily viewed by the public as demonstration projects. Design and shaping has been completed at each site, with planting of native vegetation planned for the spring of 2011. Runoff will also be managed through the stabilization of a snowmobile access on Big Sandy Lake, stabilization of a drainageway into Lake Minnewawa, and the installation of "test management practices" on agricultural lands in the Sandy River watershed.
Critical stretches of shoreline on watershed lakes that have been listed as "impaired" will also be stabilized with native vegetation. Willow wattles will be used to stabilize the water/land interface. Shrubs, flowers, and ferns will be placed in and above the willow wattles to create a buffer that will withstand wave action and filter runoff from the property.

Landowner discussions have occurred over a span of years with the majority of these projects designed and begun in 2010.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Conflict of Interest Contact

Nicole Clapp

2010 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$103,128
Other Funds Leveraged
$29,690
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

This project addresses the issues of runoff management and shoreline stabilization. When the project is complete three rain gardens/sediment basins will have been created, three buffer strips installed, and erosion from overland runoff minimized at two sites. Implementation of the project will improve the water quality of the Big Sandy Lake Watershed.

Measurable Outcome(s)

219 stormwater retention basins, 1 sediment basin, 1 diversion (75 ft), 2 acres of critical area plantings, 1 access control, and 1784 bioretention basins were completed. Pollution reduction estimates achieved include 18.88 TONS/YR sediment, 4.12 TONS/YR soil (estimated savings, and 30.13 LBS/YR phosphorus.

Administered By
Administered by
Location

520 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651- 296-3767