Rice Lake Targeted Stormwater Reductions To Meet TMDL Goals

Rice Lake, in Stearns County, is an impaired water for nutrients that has a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation plan developed. Rice Lake is one of the larger lakes in the county, offering major water recreation opportunities, economic benefits as well as fish and wildlife habitat. It is a priority for Stearns County to implement projects that have positive impacts on this resource.

In a preliminary analysis, a subwatershed area adjacent to Rice Lake was prioritized using already developed modeling information dating back to 2005. With the Rice Lake TMDL implementation plan ongoing, this area is a target for restoration projects and a place to have measurable results. The Stearns County Environmental Services Department (ESD) and Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), through the Comprehensive Water Management Plan, developed a Pollutant Loading Model (PLM) in 2005 for riparian lot development. The PLM determines the amount of sediment and phosphorus discharged from each particular riparian lot into the adjacent lake or river, and also determines the size of Best Management Practice (BMP) needed to mitigate for development. The PLM has calculated pollution inputs and associated BMPs that will mitigate for impervious surface impacts. With the PLM information already in place, and targeted implementation, Rice Lake water quality will improve as part of the TMDL restoration efforts.