Big Trout High Quality Lake: County Road 66 Stormwater Project

The Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) proposes to complete stormwater best management practices (BMPs) that will reduce 40 pounds of phosphorus and 40 tons of sediment per year from entering Big Trout Lake. The Crow Wing County (CWC) Water Plan identifies Big Trout Lake as a priority lake to enhance due to its significant decline in water clarity and high ratio of impervious surface surrounding the lake. The 2015 CWC Assessors Property Tax Assessment reports that Big Trout has the second highest taxable land value in CWC at $4,200 per foot of shoreline. This demonstrates how significant the lake is to the local community and CWC. In order to ensure Big Trout Lakeshore property retains its value, this project will implement a targeted and high priority stormwater project based off the University of Minnesota Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (CRSDP) study. This study consisted of stormwater product design research, landuse cover data, public meetings, engineering, and survey design work. The SWCD will utilize the draft engineered plan to solve a 30 year County Road 66 (CTY RD) stormwater problem which currently contributes 50 pounds of phosphorus per year to Big Trout Lake. To mitigate the runoff, the SWCD will partner with the CWC Highway (HWY) Department, City of Manhattan Beach, Whitefish Area Property Owners Association (WAPOA) to install three Downstream Defenders and a series of underground pipes. This targeted approach reflects the lessons learned from SWCD's Deerwood Stormwater Project; which included extensive community outreach, use of media resources, site preparation and design components, communication and oversight of contractors, site inspections, proper maintenance, and project evaluation. The SWCD believes that if stormwater runoff problems are not addressed within Big Trout that water clarity will continue to decline, negatively altering the quality of life and economic vitality of Manhattan Beach and CWC.