WJD-6 Wetland Restoration

Forest Lake is one of the top recreational lakes in the metro area and the largest lake in Washington County, with a diverse and healthy fishery and 3 public accesses. It is also an important economic asset to the Forest Lake and surrounding communities because of the impact of its tax base and recreational destination for visitors from outside the community. Water quality of Forest Lake impacts downstream waters, particularly Comfort Lake, Sunrise River, and ultimately Lake St. Croix. While not currently on the impaired waters list, Forest Lake is very near the water quality standard for North Central Hardwood Forest lakes. Protection of Forest Lake is a high priority for CLFLWD, the City of Forest Lake, and the region. Tributary monitoring as part of the 2016 Forest Lake Diagnostic Study identified Washington Judicial Ditch 6 (WJD-6) as the second largest contributor of flows and phosphorus (P) loads to Forest Lake, second only to Shields Lake which was addressed by the FY17 Shields Lake Stormwater Reuse and Alum Treatment project. In addition, the District?s FY20 CR-50 IESF project is estimated to remove 85 pounds of P per year or 50% of the WJD-6 subwatershed reduction goal.

The proposed project will restore approximately 1.5-acres of wetland including sediment excavation and vegetation rehabilitation. The current wetland condition is partially drained by a small private ditch that flows into WJD-6 and eventually into Forest Lake, and 100% dominated by a monotype of reed canary grass. The excavation and scraping will provide for deeper pools along with large shallow wetland benches to promote nutrient uptake. This design will create a longer flow path and promote nutrient uptake in the saturated wetland benches. Creating a wetter regime should also promote improved vegetation and habitat diversity. This project is estimated to reduce P loading by approximately 38 lb/yr, achieving 40% of the remaining WJD-6 subwatershed P reduction goal.