LMRWMO WRAPS Internal Phosphorus Loading Control: Lake Augusta and Sunfish Lake

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$196,000
Fund Source
Clean Water Fund
Recipient
Lower Mississippi River WMO
Recipient Type
Local/Regional Government
Status
Completed
Start Date
January 2016
End Date
September 2020
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Dakota
Dakota
Project Overview

Lake Augusta and Sunfish Lake are deep lakes located in the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization. Both lakes are approximately 40 acres in size and surrounded by watersheds with moderate to low imperviousness. Both lakes are included on the MPCA's 303(d) list as impaired for aquatic recreation due to excessive nutrients. Lake Augusta and Sunfish Lake were included in a watershed restoration and protection strategies (WRAPS) study and total maximum daily load (TMDL) performed from 2012 to 2014. The WRAPS study identified internal loading as the primary source of phosphorus to each lake and recommended in-lake alum treatments to improve water quality in each lake to achieve MPCA water quality standards. The goal of the Lake Augusta and Sunfish Lake alum treatments is to reduce internal phosphorus loading in each lake by at least 80 percent, resulting in phosphorus load reductions of 252 lbs/year in Lake Augusta and 129 lbs/year in Sunfish Lake. These reductions will meet the load reductions identified in the WRAPS and TMDL report and are essentially the only feasible options to achieve MPCA water quality standards in these lakes. The watersheds to these lakes are not densely developed and stormwater best management practices are already present, reducing phosphorus loading to the lakes from external sources. In addition to the alum treatment, the LMRWMO will implement a voluntary rain barrel program, a shoreline buffer survey on Sunfish Lake to identify potential locations for improvements, and targeted communication with residents to encourage buffer enhancement. These efforts will further reduce the phosphorus reaching the lake from external sources. Due to the very limited external load, alum treatment of these lakes is expected to be effective for 20 years or more. The Lake Augusta and Sunfish Lake alum treatment project will be completed in partnership with the Cities of Mendota Heights, Sunfish Lake, and local property owners.

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
$196,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$49,000
Direct expenses
$196,000
Administration costs
$8
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

This project targets internal phosphorus loading to the identified water resources. Using alum treatments, this project proposes to reduce internal phosphorus loading to Lake Augusta and Sunfish Lake by 252 lbs/year and 129 lbs/year, respectively.

Measurable Outcome(s)

This project resulted in an estimated annual reduction of 378 lbs of phosphorus.

Proposed Outcomes Achieved
achieved proposed outcomes
Source of Additional Funds

LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS

Project Manager
First Name
Joe
Last Name
Barten
Organization Name
Lower Mississippi River WMO
Street Address
4100 220th Street W, Suite 102
City
Farmington
State
MN
Zip Code
55024
Phone
651-480-7784
Email
joe.barten@co.dakota.mn.us
Administered By
Administered by
Location

520 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651- 296-3767