Upper Prior Lake - Targeted Retrofits & Enhancements

Prior Lake has long been a regional recreation destination including swimming, boating and fishing. The lake gets year-round use from anglers pursuing bass, panfish and walleye. The undulating landscape and the lake itself are important groundwater recharge features for regional water resources including the Savage Fen, Eagle Creek water supply aquifers and the Minnesota River. The management of water quality in Prior Lake is top priority for the Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District (PLSLWD) and other local partners.
Both Spring and Upper Prior Lakes have poor water quality and are listed as impaired due to excessive nutrients. Lower Prior Lake is currently not listed as impaired. Reducing stormwater runoff volume and nutrient loading will help prevent this lake from further degradation. To this end, the PLSLWD in partnership with the City of Prior Lake and the Scott County SWCD conducted a study that identified retrofit stormwater management practices.
This project proposes water storage and infiltration of stormwater runoff with the construction of 39 new raingardens, a pervious pavement area, and modification of outlet control structures for 11 City ponds. The City of Prior Lake has scheduled regular maintenance of these ponds in 2011 and this is the prime opportunity to collaborate with the City to complete these enhancements.
Construction Plans for the 11 stormwater pond maintenance and enhancement projects will be completed in October 2010. In early 2011, in order to prepare final plans for the proposed raingardens and the permeable pavement area, the PLSLWD in partnership with the Scott SCWD will conduct outreach and present education materials to propose initial project designs. An important component of the final design process will be close coordination with landowners. Construction of these features is scheduled for the fall of 2011 with final restoration and planting in the Spring of 2012.