Clean Water Projects in the Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District

 

The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) has allocated more than $10 million in grant funding from the Minnesota Clean Water Fund to projects in 2011.  The Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District was one of 48 projects that were selected and received funding through a competitive application process.  The grant award of $73,000 was for two wetland restoration/cattle exclusion projects which will reduce phosphorous loading to Moody Lake and Forest Lake.

The project involves working with two landowners with existing livestock operations to install water level control structures, fencing, alternative water supplies, and grazing management to reduce phosphorous loads within the Forest Lake and Moody Lake watersheds.  The computer models used for predicting water quality trends by the District predict load reductions of 99 pounds/year for the Moody Lake sub watershed and 153 pound/year for the Forest Lake sub watershed.  Phosphorous is the primary pollutant that is responsible for degraded water quality in lakes within the District.

 

FY 2010 Clean Water Fund

Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District Wetland Restoration/Cattle Exclusion

   

Activity/Project Description

Working with landowners with existing livestock operations to install water level control structures, fencing, alternative water supplies, grazing management, and feedlot runoff control to reduce phosphorous loads within Forest Lake and Moody Lake sub watersheds.

Financial Information

Administration/Coordination –  $5,650

Technical and Engineering  - $15,000

Construction - $81,740

Outputs

Critical Area Planting – 6.7 acres

Livestock Exclusion – 2.0 acres

Wetland Enhancement – 15.3 acres

Prescribed Grazing – 46.0 acres

Fencing – 5,720 feet

Livestock water supply – 1 pond

 

Outcomes

Reduce phosphorous loading to Moody Lake and Forest Lake by an estimated 252 pounds/year.

 

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