Clear Lake Water Quality Treatment Project
The City of Forest Lake will install four biofiltration basins and a wet sedimentation pond to treat stormwater prior to discharge into Clear Lake. Clear Lake is identified as a priority lake within the Rice Creek Watershed District's (RCWD) Watershed Management Plan and does not meet the nutrient goals established by the RCWD. Mid-summer algae blooms are common and occasionally severe enough to impact recreation. This project will significantly reduce the stormwater phosphorus load coming from the City's central business district and the State Highway 61 corridor to Clear Lake, decreasing the frequency and magnitude of algae blooms. The subwatershed surrounding this area does not currently receive treatment and was identified as a phosphorous loading hot spot in recent studies including the Clear Lake Diagnostic Study and Management Plan.
This project is timely because it coincides with the major redevelopment of land owned and operated by the City of Forest Lake. Construction of the City of Forest Lake Public Safety and City Hall site work is planned for the spring of 2014. The Clear Lake Water Quality Treatment Project will treat stormwater above and beyond what is required by the RCWD rules. By constructing them in concert, this water quality project will be exceedingly efficient in terms of cost per unit of phosphorous removed. The Clear Lake Water Quality Treatment Project will remove 38 to 83 pounds annually or 27%-60% of the 140 pound total phosphorous reduction goal for Clear Lake. Furthermore, this highly visible project will provide numerous opportunities for community outreach and education.
Nicole Clapp
Projects and Practices 2014
Annual TP removal will range from 38.1 to 83.4 lbs/yr.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS