Projects

Modeling

• Watershed-wide hydrologic and hydraulic model (floodplain delineation). The models provide a technical tool that will be used to evaluate regional projects for flood control and in association with our current water quality modeling effort will allow Board to proactively plan for the future (completed 2005).
• Watershed-wide water quality model and design services project. The project determined load allocations to our water resources and developed a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)(through the evaluation and design of projects) centered around addressing needed projects in order to either improve our maintain the quality of our water resources. The modeling efforts and resulting CIP are designed to meet or exceed the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements for all major lakes in the watershed. The resulting report "Watershed and Lake Water Quality Modeling Investigation for the Development of a Capital Improvement Plan," was completed in December 2007.

Studies

Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). There are currently five lakes within CLFLWD which are listed as impaired by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) due to excessive nutrients [Bone, Comfort, Moody, School and Shields lakes]. Because of their listing, TMDL studies/plans are to be completed on the lakes. Furthermore, already available data reveal that a few more lakes within the District will be listed as impaired as soon as the data are analyzed by MPCA. For this reason, the CLFLWD recently submitted a TMDL work plan application to the MPCA for Clean Water Legacy funding to undertake a multi-lake TMDL. The recently completed water quality (load allocation) model will provide the majority the needed information to complete the TMDLs, therefore reducing the effort and monies needed to complete the task. The District's TMDL work plan was recently approved and funded by the MPCA and a contract MPCA signed in December 2007.  Therefore the CLFLWD will be undertaking the TMDL studies on its impaired lakes in 2008 and 2009.  An approved TMDL will expand funding opportunities to remediate the impairments.

• Draft CLFLWD Six Lakes TMDL Report
• Draft CLFLWD Six Lakes TMDL Implementation Plan

Rules Development

Rules and Regulations. In order to fulfill requirements mandated by the State, as well a provide guidance to local communities, The Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) Board of Managers adopted new Rules on Thursday, December 18, 2008 at the monthly Board meeting.  The adoption of the new rules follows a year-and-a-half of planning and rulemaking that included seven joint meetings with the District’s Technical Advisory Committee (with representatives from State agencies, Chisago and Washington counties, Metropolitan Council, and the Cities of Chisago City, Forest Lake, Scandia, Wyoming and the recently annexed Wyoming Township) and Citizen Advisory Committee.

The District will implement its rules in part through a permitting program for new and re-development.  The new rules clarify the requirements of the District's permit program regarding stormwater management, erosion control, buffers, shoreline and streambank alteration, stream and lake crossings, and floodplain alterations.  The rules also include procedural requirement and include regulations on exceptions and variance.  Information on the District's permit program can be found here.

Capital Improvement Program (CIP)

The CLFLWD recently adopted a 15-year Capitol Improvement Program (CIP) developed as part of their recently completed "Watershed and Lake Water Quality Modeling Investigation for the Development of a Capital Improvement Plan," project. The CIP provides a prioritized list of potential projects with preliminary designs to address water quality and quantity issues identified in the the modeling effort. The CIP also provides a schedule, cost estimates and modeled results the projects will have on the water quality of the District's water resources. The resulting CIP is included in the "Watershed and Lake Water Quality Modeling Investigation for the Development of a Capital Improvement Plan."

BMP Cost-Share Incentive Program

The Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) offers cost-share grants for projects that improve water quality and/or decreases stormwater runoff and preserves native plant and wildlife communities affected by lakes, rivers and wetlands. Potential projects include shoreline and streambank restoration/stabilization, raingardens and erosion control projects. Highest priority is given to collaborative projects and those with opportunities for public education.

The following is a list of District funded BMP projects:

• Johnson & Floerke Shoreline Restoration (Bone Lake 2008)
• Kumerow Shoreline Restoration Project (Forest Lake 2008)
• Oehler Raingarden Project (Forest Lake 2008)
• Forest Lake Dead End Street Lakeshore Buffer/Raingardens (Six Sites on Forest Lake 2008-2010)

1. 4th Avenue NE (2008-2009) (Adopted by Mattson Funeral Home)
2. 2nd Avenue NE (2008-2009) (Adopted by Forest Lake Starbucks)
3. 2nd Avenue SE (2008-2009) (Adopted by The Bombard Family)
4. 4th Avenue SE (2009-2010)
5. 236th Street NE (2009-2010)
6. 237th Street NE (2009-2010)

• Schreckeis Shoreline Restoration Project (Sylvan Lake 2009)
• Trandal Grassed Swale/Shoreline Restoration Project (Comfort Lake 2009)
• Milbrett Shoreline Restoraton Project (Forest Lake 2009)
• Mahler Shoreline Restoration Project (Forest Lake 2009)
• Bocklund Raingarden Project (Ashton Lake 2010)