Forest Lake Wetland Treatment Basin Implementation

Forest Lake is one of the top recreational lakes in the metro area with a diverse and healthy fishery along with thee public accesses. The water quality of Forest Lake also impacts downstream waters, particularly Comfort Lake, the Sunrise River, and ultimately Lake St. Croix. A water quality study was completed for Forest Lake identifying nutrient reduction goals to meet state water quality standards for all three basins of Forest Lake along with the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District's (CLFLWD) long term goal water quality goals for the lake. This project is located on one of the eastern tributaries entering the most eastern basin of Forest Lake. This tributary is a known water quality concern and residents have reported algae blooms on several occasions near the outfall of this tributary. The wetland just upstream of the outfall to Forest Lake has been highly altered and degraded. This project proposes improvements to the wetland basin including excavation of nutrient rich sediments (documented based on sediment testing), restoration of native vegetative cover, protection of existing high quality native vegetation, and incorporation of native buffers surrounding the basin.