Sauk River Runoff Reduction and Riparian Restoration
The Sauk River Stormwater Runoff Reduction and Riparian Restoration Project is a watershed-wide effort to reduce the amount of nutrients delivered by stormwater and bank erosion to area surface waters. Funds will be used to assist local schools and municipalities with their restoration project design, installation, and financing.
The stormwater reduction projects installed on school grounds and public property will assist in the Sauk River Watershed District's education efforts by serving as demonstration sites for the public. Students from local schools will participate in the construction of these rain gardens and shoreland restoration projects as part of their ecology class curriculum. Follow-up maintenance will be incorporated into the class curriculum as well.
These projects have multiple benefits. Installing rain gardens and retention basins provides more storage space during major rain events or snowmelt. The extra water retention time increases groundwater recharge and reduces downstream flooding concerns.
Riparian restoration projects also provide multiple benefits. Restoring streambanks using native materials (bioengineering) stabilizes the bank from further erosion while offering better habitat for aquatic wildlife, a more diverse plant community, and a more natural corridor for recreational uses.
The SRWD will conduct water quality monitoring along the Sauk River using other funding sources to determine project effectiveness.
Nicole Clapp
(b) $2,800,000 the first year and $3,124,000 the second year are for grants to watershed districts and watershed management organizations for: (i) structural or vegetative management practices that reduce storm water runoff from developed or disturbed lands to reduce the movement of sediment, nutrients, and pollutants or to leverage federal funds for restoration, protection, or enhancement of water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams and to protect groundwater and drinking water; and (ii) the installation of proven and effective water retention practices including, but not limited to, rain gardens and other vegetated infiltration basins and sediment control basins in order to keep water on the land. 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. Watershed district and watershed management organization staff and administration may be used for local match. Priority may be given to school projects that can be used to demonstrate water retention practices. Up to five percent may be used for administering the grants. (2011 - Runoff Reduction); (g) $2,330,000 the first year and $1,830,000 the second year are for grants to implement stream bank, stream channel, and shoreline protection, and restoration projects to protect water quality. Of this amount, $330,000 the first year and $330,000 the second year may be used for technical assistance and grants to establish a conservation drainage program in consultation with the Board of Water and Soil Resources and the Drainage Work Group that consists of pilot projects to retrofit existing drainage systems with water quality improvement practices, evaluate outcomes, and provide outreach to landowners, public drainage authorities, drainage engineers and contractors, and others. Of this amount, $500,000 the first year is for a grant to Hennepin County for riparian restoration and stream bank stabilization in the ten primary stream systems in Hennepin County in order to protect, enhance, and help restore the water quality of the streams and downstream receiving waters. The county shall work with watershed districts and water management organizations to identify and prioritize projects. To the extent possible, the county shall employ youth through the Minnesota Conservation Corps and Tree Trust to plant trees and shrubs to reduce erosion and stabilize stream banks. This appropriation must be matched by nonstate sources, including in-kind contributions (2011 - Shoreland Improvement)
The SRWD installed three riparian restoration projects along the Sauk River and four along tributaries to the Sauk River. Nine shoreland restorations project were installed along three lakes, Osakis Lake, Sauk Lake and the Sauk River Chain of Lakes. The SRWD worked with the city of Cold Spring to install three stormwater retention projects. One stormwater project was installed in the city of Richmond, one in Osakis, one at the Osakis Public School and one near Little Birch Lake and three on private property. In 2011, the SRWD launched a rain garden initiative for the city of Cold Spring resulting in 36 rain gardens installed.