Crystal Lake Watershed Phosphorus Reduction Project

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$374,500
Fund Source
Clean Water Fund
Recipient
Blue Earth County SWCD
Recipient Type
Local/Regional Government
Status
Completed
Start Date
January 2016
End Date
March 2020
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Blue Earth
Blue Earth
Project Overview

The purpose of this project is to reduce phosphorus loading to Crystal Lake transported primarily through County Ditch 56. Crystal Lake is listed on MPCA's 303d listing for phosphorus impairment. Increased phosphorus levels have caused toxic algal blooms, reducing its appeal to recreationalists and economic draw for the City of Lake Crystal. This project will directly address phosphorus sources from agricultural land. Phosphorus will be addressed by targeting agricultural surface flow and subsurface drain tile before entering CD56 through nutrient management, cover crops, conservation tillage practices, and nutrient removal structures. We will also be coordinating with watershed partners such as the Crystal Waters Project and the Blue Earth County Drainage Authority to promote urban and in-ditch practices to reduce phosphorus.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications

See http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/aboutbwsr/index.html and http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/aboutbwsr/boarddirectory.pdf

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

See http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/aboutbwsr/index.html

Conflict of Interest Contact

Marcey Westrick

Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of MN 2015 1st Special Session Chapter 2, Article 2, Section 7
Appropriation Language

Projects and Practices 2016: Laws of MN 2015 First Special Session Chapter 2, Article 7, Section 7

2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$374,500
Other Funds Leveraged
$98,625
Direct expenses
$374,500
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.51
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

This grant will directly address phosphorus by targeting agricultural surface flow and subsurface drain tile that outlets into CD56 and ultimately Crystal Lake. Bioreactors reduce nitrates by 60%, and the sediment loading will be reduced by an estimated 1,638 tons/yr. Phosphorus Removal Structures will reduce Pohsphorus by an estimated 75-95%, or 2,209 lbs/yr.

Measurable Outcome(s)

This project resulted in an estimated annual reduction of 3705.9 lbs of nitrate, 485.08 lbs of phosphorus, 328.91 tons of sediment, 1341.08 tons per year of soil loss. Additionally, 148 preventative pollution practices (with no associated estimation calculator) were installed as part of this grant project.

Proposed Outcomes Achieved
achieved proposed outcomes
Source of Additional Funds

LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS

Project Manager
First Name
Jerad
Last Name
Bach
Organization Name
Blue Earth County SWCD
Street Address
1160 Victory Dr Ste 3
City
Mankato
State
MN
Zip Code
560015307
Phone
507-345-4744
Email
jerad.bach@blueearthswcd.org
Administered By
Administered by
Location

520 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651- 296-3767