Sunrise Chain of Lakes Shoreland Stabilization - Phase 2

This project will achieve pollutant reductions within a chain of lakes with a hard-won trend of improving water quality. We will expand a successful program started with a 2023 CWF grant to install shoreline stabilization projects with near-shore native plant buffers and in-lake aquatic plantings. We will stabilize at least 300 linear feet of shoreline resulting in at least 8 lbs/yr of phosphorus and 5 tons/yr of sediment reduction. This project is small budget and modest scale, but a critical finish-line kick to reach goals after many other larger projects that have nearly achieved goals.

We will prioritize work at Martin Lake where we have nearly achieved removal from the State impaired waters list. The lake has moved from being 65% over the state nutrient standard (2007-2016) to being within 4% (last 5 yr average). At this lake we have completed a shoreland inventory (with 2023 update planned) to identify the most eroding and erosion-prone shores, secured 8 projects to install in spring 2024 with a FY2023 CWF grant, & have a waiting list of interested landowners.

Secondarily, we will prioritize Linwood Lake (within 1% of state nutrient standard) and Coon Lake (priority protection lake). These lakes also have shoreland inventories. Linwood is upstream of Martin Lake. Both are upstream of the regionally significant Sunrise and St. Croix Rivers.

This application is phase 2 of a program started with a 2023 CWF grant. Five months after receiving those grant funds we've encumbered all of the construction dollars, increased the budget 19% with unanticipated funds, and anticipate achieving 2x the promised pollutant reductions and linear feet of lakeshore. We've generated a waiting list. And we've only worked at the top priority lake: Martin.