Loon Lake Improvement - Jackson County Judicial Ditch 8

Loon Lake, the receiving waterbody for Jackson Judicial Ditch 8 (JD8), is impaired for nutrients - with phosphorus being a primary concern, along with a delta of sediment forming where JD8 flows into Loon Lake. JD8 is impaired for benthic macroinvertebrates and fish bioassessments, which indicates that the long-term health of the system is poor. The project proposed in this application will construct a 4.6-acre constructed wetland along the JD8 open ditch, providing water storage and allowing sediment and nutrients to settle out before entering the lake. The constructed wetland is estimated to capture 461 tons of sediment and 248 pounds of phosphorus annually. Seventeen alternative side inlets (ASIs) are also proposed in this application. ASIs improve bank stability of the open ditch, reduce bank erosion, temporarily store water in the ditch buffer, and allow sediment and nutrients to settle out before reaching the open ditch. The ASIs will capture 52 tons of sediment and 72 pounds of phosphorus each year. These practices will work together towards improving the water quality in Loon Lake by reducing sediment and nutrients entering the lake from JD8.