Protecting Del Clark Lake and Restoring Canby Creek
Del Clark Lake is a regionally unique resource in the Lac qui Parle Watershed. This grant contains both restoration and protection strategies aiming to maintain the quality of this rare and valuable resource in addition to restoring the recently impaired Canby Creek, which feeds into Del Clark Lake. Three grade control structures will be implemented just upstream of Del Clark to protect against sediment and aid in regulating flows. An estimate 240 pounds of phosphorous and 2,700 tons of sediment will be reduced annually.
Del Clark Lake, just outside the city of Canby, is a regionally unique resource in the Lac qui Parle Watershed that provides valuable recreational, economic, and flood protection benefits for Canby and surrounding area. It is the only assessed waterbody in the watershed in full support of aquatic recreation. Stonehill Park, on the lake, contains a plethora of handicap accessible camping and recreation activities and hosts an estimated eight to ten thousand annual visitors through the gate. Del Clark is one of three flood control structures (R-1, R-4, R-6) that were constructed in the early 1980s. The structures protect the infrastructure of Canby and surrounding area, including the Drinking Water Supply Management Area MN-00460 north of Canby, from annual flooding. This grant contains both restoration and protection strategies aiming to maintain the quality of this rare and valuable resource in addition to restoring the recently impaired Canby Creek, which feeds into Del Clark Lake, consistent with the state's non-point source management plan (Goal: Fund restoration & protection projects to restore/protect high priority). Canby Creek was assessed as a cold water use stream due to trout stocking and did not meet the threshold for aquatic life but was within the confidence interval. Three grade control structures will be implemented just upstream of Del Clark to protect against sediment and aid in regulating flows. An equal investment will be made in the contributing 20,150-acre watershed to further manage sediment delivery to Del Clark and Canby Creek. Value in 27 upstream targeted source reduction and storage practices is evident as Canby Creek is the only trout stream in the Lac qui Parle Watershed and there is nearly 600 feet of fall, or 50 feet/mile, compared to 4 feet/mile beyond Canby. It is also anticipated the projects will reduce sediment transport beyond Del Clark Lake and contribute towards assisting with the Minnesota River Sediment Reduction Strategy.
Annie Felix-Gerth
(b) $6,882,000 the first year and $12,618,000 the second year are for grants to protect and restore surface water and drinking water; to keep water on the land; to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; and to protect groundwater and drinking water, including feedlot water quality and subsurface sewage treatment system projects and stream bank, stream channel, shoreline restoration, and ravine stabilization projects. The projects must use practices demonstrated to be effective, be of long-lasting public benefit, include a match, and be consistent with total maximum daily load (TMDL) implementation plans, watershed restoration and protection strategies (WRAPS), or local water management plans or their equivalents. A portion of these funds may be used to seek administrative efficiencies through shared resources by multiple local governmental units.
3 structures: 1,258 lbs/yr TP and 1,258 tons/year sediment. 10-yr flow rate reductions: Site 1-20%, Site 2-6% before overflow to 1, Site 3-29%. Targeted upstream practices: 2,700 tons/year sediment removal, 9.7% reduction in discharge, 240 lbs/yr TP.
3 structures: 667 lbs/yr TP and 667 tons/year sediment. 10-yr flow rate reductions: Site 1-24.7%, Site 2-1.7% before overflow to 1, Site 3-0.9%. Targeted upstream practices: 602 tons/year sediment removal, 9.7% reduction in discharge, 560 lbs/yr TP.
The big discrepancy between the proposed and final sediment and "P" outcomes, were due to the LGU using a much more accurate method to calculate the reduction estimates post construction. This information was not available to the LGU at the time of the application. The 3 basin projects for Del Clark Lake were installed as proposed. The upstream treatment practices fell short of the goal because of increased costs associated with the 3 basin projects leaving less money for upland projects and landowners unwilling to commit to install BMPs during the grant agreement lifespan.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS