2019 - Watershed Based Funding Metro (Prior Lake-Spring Lake WD)
Both Upper Prior and Spring Lakes have a TMDL for nutrients. The proposed project will maximize water quality restoration by removing the majority of carp in the system through tracking, seining, installation of carp barriers and community outreach and involvement.
The Feasibility Study will investigate the potential for retrofit water quality BMPs in this subwatershed demonstrating high pollutant loads.
The Feasibility Study will investigate stormwater BMP alternatives for treatment of the subwatershed. The subwatershed is drained via a ditch running from the Scott County Highway Department to the west side of Spring Lake. Monitoring results indicate high phosphorus, conductivity, chlorides e-coli and nitrates.
The Feasibility Study (1/3 funded by PLSLWD) will investigate the possibility of constructing a joint regional stormwater pond and/or other BMP's in partnership with SMSC on the on the Blue Lake Channel prior to outletting to the Prior Lake Outlet Channel, for the intent and purpose of creating downstream water quality improvements.
Annie Felix-Gerth
$4,875,000 the first year and $4,875,000 the second year are for a pilot program to provide performance-based grants to local government units. The grants may be used to implement projects that protect, enhance, and restore surface water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; protect groundwater from degradation; and protect drinking water sources. Projects must be identified in a comprehensive watershed plan developed under the One Watershed, One Plan or metropolitan surface water management frameworks or groundwater plans. Grant recipients must identify a nonstate match and may use other legacy funds to supplement projects funded under this paragraph.
The project is anticipated to remove as much as 600 pounds of phosphorus from Spring and Upper Prior Lakes and effectively managing carp populations. Through outreach, residents will understand the influence of common carp on water quality; Two feasibility studies will develop concept plans for up to 2 BMPs each, preparation of refined cost estimates and result in the selection of preferred options. An additional study investigate the possibility of constructing a joint regional stormwater pond and/or other BMP's in partnership with SMSC on the on the Blue Lake Channel prior to outletting to the Prior Lake Outlet Channel, for the intent and purpose of creating downstream water quality improvements.
This project resulted in completion of feasibility studies, installed a permanent, seasonally operated carp barrier at Northwood Pond, and conducted extensive outreach with local residents to get participation in four volunteer programs (carp tracking, carp espionage, baited box traps, & training the carp), with two school partnership events where high school students tracked carp during ice-on conditions. The district removed a total of 53,937 pounds of from Upper Prior and Spring lakes from 2019 to 2021. An estimated 908 pounds of phosphorus per year have been removed during the project on Spring and Prior Lakes. Removal methods included seining, electrofishing, gill netting, and specialized traps.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS