Crystal Lake Watershed Phosphorus Reduction Project
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.
See http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/aboutbwsr/index.html and http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/aboutbwsr/boarddirectory.pdf
See http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/aboutbwsr/index.html
Marcey Westrick
Projects and Practices 2016: Laws of MN 2015 First Special Session Chapter 2, Article 7, Section 7
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.
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.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS