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Project Description & Outcomes

The proposed projects include implementation of:

  1. A variable height weir to impound water in a large wetland complex that is currently ditched and discharging high phosphorus concentrations to Little Comfort Lake via the Heath Avenue outlet pipe,
  2. A series of channel improvements along the School Lake outlet channel to Little Comfort Lake that is contributing sediment and phosphorus from unconsolidated stream bed materials, and
  3. An in-lake alum treatment to reduce internal sediment phosphorus loads in Little Comfort Lake.

The proposed projects are expected to remove total phosphorus loads discharging to Little Comfort Lake of 75 lb/yr from the east wetland impoundment, 50 lb/yr from the School Lake outlet channel improvements, and 59 lb/yr of internal load from the in-lake alum treatment, for a total load reduction of 184 lb/yr, which is estimated to bring Little Comfort Lake to its long-term water quality goals. Improvements in Little Comfort Lake will achieve the remaining reductions needed for Comfort Lake to achieve its long-term District goals and be removed from the impaired waters list.

These projects were identified as a result of the Heath Avenue Subwatershed Investigation Study and the Comfort Lake & Little Comfort Lake Diagnostic Study.

The CLFLWD received a $354,600 Clean Water Fund (CWF) grant from the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) for this project.

Project Fact Sheet

Project Status

In Progress

Project Outcomes

184 lbs/yr phosphorus removal

Financials

Clean Water Fund Grant: $354,000 (Grant Report)

CLFLWD Grant Match: $88,650

Total Project Budget : $443,250

Lifecycle cost:
$100 per pound of phosphorus removed
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Timeline

2021-2022: Project development and design

2023: Project construction

Project Partners