2023 Priority BMP Implementation Targeting Lawrence Creek, Dry Creek, and Direct Drainage to the St. Croix River Phase II

The St. Croix River escarpment has been a focal point for the Chisago SWCD for over 11 years with a multi-phase targeted plan to reduce Total Phosphorus (TP) and sediment loading to the St. Croix River and Lake St. Croix. The Lower St. Croix River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan (LSC CWMP) prioritizes the continuation of improving trends of TP and sediment to the St. Croix River and Lake St. Croix. In 2011, the SWCD received a Clean Water Fund (CWF) to complete an assessment of erosion along the St. Croix River escarpment. The Chisago SWCD used the assessment to secure an additional 8 CWF grants to implement phase 1: installing practices (33 WASCOBs, 12 grassed waterways, 9 clean water diversions, and 36 other water quality BMPs) along the St. Croix River escarpment since 2012. In 2021, the SWCD began phase 2 and utilized a completed Rural Assessment for Dry Creek, Lawrence Creek, and Direct Drainage subwatersheds to secure a CWF grant to implement projects identified in the assessment. These watersheds are upstream of the escarpment and contribute to many of the phase 1 gullies or drain directly to the St. Croix River. Lawrence Creek and an unnamed direct drainage stream are Chisago County's only listed trout streams and are Regionally Significant Streams for Pollution Reduction in the LSC CWMP. The SWCD has completed 7 projects and has an additional 4 projects in planning stages that are anticipated to exhaust the 2021 CWF grant. This application continues the successful implementation of water quality BMPs in the Dry Creek, Lawrence Creek, and Direct Drainage watersheds. A minimum of 20 practices, such as those listed in the previous paragraph, will reduce the phosphorus loading by at least 140 lbs/yr and sediment loading by at least 140 tons/yr. This application will directly contribute to the Implementation Actions in the LSC WCMP, achieving 50% of the Years 3-4 goal to install BMPs and 23% to the goal of reducing phosphorus.