This project targets sediment and TSS reduction in the Lake Emily subwatershed. Funded Best Management Practices will address non-point source pollution from agricultural lands, specifically those on steep, erodible slopes and ravines (root cause) that are delivering sediment and phosphorus to the Chippewa River and Lake Emily, an important local resource as it passes through several highly recreated and populated lakes within Pope County along with highly productive agricultural and wildlife lands. These lands have been converted to row crop production.
According to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's (MDAs) Final Township Testing Nitrate Report for Benton County, significant portions of Langola, Watab, Minden, and Maywood townships have high aquifer vulnerability ratings due to the geologic setting in Benton County. The purpose of this project is to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination in critical drinking water areas in Benton County through the process of sealing unused wells.
The purpose of this workplan is to implement practices within the Wild Rice - Marsh Watershed (WRMW) to make progress toward the sediment, total phosphorus, storage, soil health, forest, and groundwater goals established in the Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan (plan). Practices are targeted to the ?highest? priority catchments that were prioritized by sediment loading. Sediment is a priority issue within the WRMW plan. Projects targeted by this workplan are estimated to reduce 2,799 tons/year of sediment. Total phosphorus is also a priority issue in the WRM plan.