Reitz Lake Restoration
The Reitz Lake restoration project began several years ago when water quality samples showed the lake was impaired. Carver County and residents around the lake took action and began to develop a plan (TMDL) to clean up Reitz Lake.Once the TMDL study and the associated implementation plan (which helps to target specific projects) were completed, funding was sought to target high priority projects around the Lake. First, direct untreated run-off from a farmed area of approximately 100 acres to the north of the lake will be slowed and filtered before it enters the lake. Next, a wetland on the east side of the lake will be enhanced by adding a sediment basin, filter, and fish barrier that will help to buffer and treat approximately 1900 acres of mixed agricultural land. Finally, several shorelines will be re-vegetated and restored to help buffer surface water run-off from lawns and driveways. It is estimated that as much as 8 tons of sediment and 200 pounds of phosphorus per year will be kept from entering the lake.On-going throughout this two year process (and beyond) the County and volunteers from the lake community will continue to monitor the lake's water quality to track the progress of our activities in the lakeshed. These efforts will be watched to see if they are helping the lakes clarity and/or impacting the invasive carp and weeds (curly leaf pondweed & milfoil) that are also factors in the lake's poor condition.
Nicole Clapp
(b) $2,800,000 the first year and $3,124,000 the second year are for grants to watershed districts and watershed management organizations for: (i) structural or vegetative management practices that reduce storm water runoff from developed or disturbed lands to reduce the movement of sediment, nutrients, and pollutants or to leverage federal funds for restoration, protection, or enhancement of water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams and to protect groundwater and drinking water; and (ii) the installation of proven and effective water retention practices including, but not limited to, rain gardens and other vegetated infiltration basins and sediment control basins in order to keep water on the land. The projects must be of long-lasting public benefit, include a local match, and be consistent with TMDL implementation plans or local water management plans. Watershed district and watershed management organization staff and administration may be used for local match. Priority may be given to school projects that can be used to demonstrate water retention practices. Up to five percent may be used for administering the grants. (2011 - Runoff Reduction); (g) $2,330,000 the first year and $1,830,000 the second year are for grants to implement stream bank, stream channel, and shoreline protection, and restoration projects to protect water quality. Of this amount, $330,000 the first year and $330,000 the second year may be used for technical assistance and grants to establish a conservation drainage program in consultation with the Board of Water and Soil Resources and the Drainage Work Group that consists of pilot projects to retrofit existing drainage systems with water quality improvement practices, evaluate outcomes, and provide outreach to landowners, public drainage authorities, drainage engineers and contractors, and others. Of this amount, $500,000 the first year is for a grant to Hennepin County for riparian restoration and stream bank stabilization in the ten primary stream systems in Hennepin County in order to protect, enhance, and help restore the water quality of the streams and downstream receiving waters. The county shall work with watershed districts and water management organizations to identify and prioritize projects. To the extent possible, the county shall employ youth through the Minnesota Conservation Corps and Tree Trust to plant trees and shrubs to reduce erosion and stabilize stream banks. This appropriation must be matched by nonstate sources, including in-kind contributions (2011 - Shoreland Improvement)
It is estimated that as much as 8 tons of sediment and 200 pounds of phosphorus per year will be kept from entering the lake.
Four shoreline stabilizations and restorations, a 2.8 acre-foot pond with floating vegetative mats, a sediment basin, and a 0.7 acre dry sediment basin with iron enhanced sand filters were installed, removing a total of 86 pounds of phosphorus.