Project Recharge! Restoring Natural Hydrology to Crow Wing County Urban Communities
The SWCD initiated Project Recharge to create and apply a protection strategy to address declining water quality trend reported in a 2008 large lakes analysis. The report contained watershed and trend analysis for lakes over 1,000 acres in size and led to targeting of lands located within lakesheds containing the highest ratio of impervious to pervious surfaces. These included the Cities of Breezy Point, Crosslake, and Fifty Lakes. The SWCD prioritized work for Serpent and Rush lakes due to their declining transparency trend analysis.The SWCD worked with partners to find and approach landowners and businesses to complete the following types of projects that all used native plant species:Swap Rock for Native Stock: Implement bioengineering to stabilize shoreline. All projects are approximately 750 square feet.Buff up Your Shoreline: Restore native vegetative buffers to shoreline. All projects are approximately 750 square feet.Rain, Rain, Soak Away: Install residential raingardens sized to infiltrate a 1 rain event.4 Demonstration Sites: Created bio-retention basins and infiltration swales. The SWCD has partnered with the City of Fifty Lakes, Crosslake Parks and Recreation, 7 different landowners, the Bait Box, Peaceful Harbor, a 24- member Association, Immanuel Lutheran Church, and Breezy Point Resort to intercept, infiltrate, and treat stormwater runoff. Collectively, over two tons of sediment, 16 pounds of phosphorus, and six million gallons of annual runoff is prevented from entering Pelican, Serpent, Crosslake, Rush, East and West Fox Lakes. The SWCD used media resources to create more awareness about the Clean Water Legacy Funds and the importance of stormwater management. Public TV interviewed the SWCD five times, and had three radio interviews. In addition, over 20 press releases were printed in local newspapers.
Nicole Clapp
(c) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000 the second year are for nonpoint source pollution reduction and restoration grants to watershed districts, watershed management organizations, counties, and soil and water conservation districts for grants in addition to grants available under paragraphs (a) and (b) to keep water on the land and to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams, and to protect groundwater and drinking water. The projects must be of long-lasting public benefit, include a local match, and be consistent with TMDL implementation plans or local water management plans. Up to five percent may be used for administering the grants (2010 - Clean Water Assistance)
Install 500 linear feet of native shoreline vegetation, 1,200 sq ft of shoreland buffers, 10 (200 sq ft) raingardens, a raingarden at Fifty Lake's City Hall and Immanuel Lutheran Church and convert 20 riparian lots to 'no-mow' zones. Based on models each individual project will reduce sediment by 30 percent and phosphorus by 50 percent. Cumulatively, these projects will reduce 4 lbs of phosphorus and .5 tons of sediment from affected water bodies.
In partnership with the City of Fifty Lakes, Crosslake Parks and Recreation, 7 private landowners, the Bait Box, Peaceful Harbor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, and Breezy Point Resort. Collectively, over two tons of sediment, 16 pounds of phosphorus, and six million gallons of annual runoff is prevented from entering Pelican, Serpent, Crosslake, Rush, East and West Fox Lakes.