Simon Lake and Lake Gilchrist Restoration and Protection in the Chippewa River Watershed
The Chippewa River Watershed Project will work with local partners, such as Land Stewardship Project, soil and water conservation districts, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to restore water quality in Lake Gilchrist, Simon Lake, Lake Johanna and in Mud Creek, and to protect unimpaired water resources in the watershed. This will be done through implementation of Best Management Practices focusing on the reduction of phosphorous, sediment, and runoff in the landscape, primarily by increasing the landscape's ability to retain water. The activities of this grant will result in the implementation of 30 projects/practices over the three year period.
Nicole Clapp
This project is a cooperative initiative between the Prior Lake Spring Lake Watershed District, the City of Prior Lake, and the Scott SWCD to implement 30 t0 35 on-the-ground best management practices that will protect and improve water quality in Spring, Upper Prior and Lower Prior Lakes including shoreland buffers, grassed waterways, and native prairie.
Approved work plan shifted from practice implementation to focus on outreach and civic engagement. Developed 5-yr plans for 7 landowners covering 900 acres and grazing management changes. LSP staff held individual meetings with farmers and assisted in BMP promotion along with on-farm demonstrations and gatherings of farmers. Worked with landowners to incorporate cover crops, reduce fall tillage, transitioning to managed intensive grazing, and transitioning erodible and sensitive acres from row-crop to perennial land cover.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS