This project will establish a framework with the Pomme de Terre River Association (PDTRA), county staff, Soil and Water Conservation District staff, and state agencies that will outline their involvement throughout the development of the Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) for the Pomme de Terre River watershed. This work will form the basis to establish restoration and protection strategies that local governments and watershed organizations can use to make decisions that will lead to protecting and restoring the waters in the watershed.
The goal of this project is to extend through 2016, calibrate, and validate the existing watershed model using Hydrological Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) for the Pomme de Terre River Watershed. The contractor will produce an HSPF model that can readily be used to provide information to support conventional parameter Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies.
Certain stretches of the Pomme de Terre River have been identified as impaired. This project will quantify the reductions in pollutant loading that would be necessary to bring water quality in the impaired stretches to an acceptable level. It will also identify strategies that would improve water quality in these impaired stretches. Some funds will support public input activities into the Pomme de Terre River watershed management plan.
The goal of the Pomme de Terre River Association (PDTRA JPB) is to improve the local water resources within the watershed through targeted voluntary efforts and the building of strong relationships with local landowners, producers, and citizens. To further our efforts in strategically working to achieve our reduction goals, listed in our Major Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies Report and Turbidity Total Maximum Daily Load report, we would like to further define our Priority Management Zones through the development of a hydrological conditioned Digital Elevation Model.
The Pomme de Terre River Association (PDTRA) will use this funding to pursue goals stated in the Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. PDTRA has identified five priority areas to focus sediment & phosphorus reduction goals: Northern Lakes, Christina/Pelican Lakes, Pomme de Terre River Lakes Chain, Pomme de Terre River Corridor, and Drywood Creek. Plans include but aren't limited to: water & sediment control basins, alternative tile intakes, shoreline restorations/stabilizations, critical area plantings, grass waterways and SSTS upgrades.
This project will develop feasibility analysis, a drawdown plan for Malmedal Lake and an analysis of available options for fish barriers in the watersheds of Malmedal Lake and Strandness Lake.
This program will acquire 1,100 acres of state wildlife management areas (WMA) or federal waterfowl production areas (WPA) to enhance grassland and prairie habitat and provide public recreation opportunities for the citizens of Minnesota. In addition, PF restore an additional 1,500 acres of grassland habitat on permanently protected lands (WPA's or WMA's).
The project will advance the protection, restoration and enhancement goals for prairie, grassland and wetland habitats as described in the 2018 MN Prairie Conservation Plan. It builds upon the highly successful model established via prior Prairie Recovery Phases and seeks to protect 400 acres in Fee without PILT obligations to be held by The Nature Conservancy, enhance 18,000 acres of permanently protected grasslands, and restore 100 acres of prairie and wetland habitat.
