Roseau Lake Water Quality Improvement Report

The goal of this project is to develop a Roseau Lake Water Quality Improvement Report that will include a prioritized, targeted, and measurable implementation plan that will improve water quality in the Roseau Lake watershed. The project will result in development of site specific implementation actions through use of the Prioritize, Targeting, and Measuring Application (PTMApp) and the Drained Wetland Basin Inventory terrain analysis methods. The PTMApp will be used to identify and evaluate the suitability and effectiveness of best management/conservation practices in the watershed including treatment train scenarios, and provide estimates of sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus delivered (and subsequently treated) to the lake. The Drained Wetland Basin Inventory will identify the location of restorable wetlands in the watershed along with their volume, depth, and drainage area, which will be used to prioritize and target restoration efforts for multiple purposes including water quality, habitat, and flood damage reduction. Final project outcomes will be a targeted water quality improvement plan that includes the 100 most effective projects to improve water quality in the watershed based on cost and total load reduction to the lake. This project will directly compliment the efforts of the Roseau River WD and the MN DNR to implement the Roseau Lake Rehabilitation Project which will improve water quality and wildlife habitat, and reduce flood damages. Improved water quality through reduced sediment and nutrient loading from the Roseau Lake watershed is critical to the long-term sustainability of the Roseau Lake rehabilitation. Funding for the Roseau Lake rehabilitation is being actively sought from sources including state capital improvement and Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.