What's New in Comfort Lake - Forest Lake Watershedotrict (CLFLWD) signs a contract with The MP

The Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) is partnering with the City of Forest Lake and Great River Greening to construct three shoreland restoration projects on the shores of Forest Lake

Forest Lake, September 19, 2008:

The Comfort Lake –Forest Lake Watershed District, in partnership with the City of Forest Lake and Great River Greening  will be undertaking three shoreland restoration projects within the right-of-way of three dead-end streets ending on the shores of Forest Lake.  The three sites include;

• 4th Avenue Northeast    (color graphic or site design)
• 2nd Avenue Northeast   (color graphic or site design)
• 2nd Avenue Southeast  (color graphic or site design)

In fact, there are numerous street dead-ends and street right-of-ways around Forest Lake which end directly on the shores of Forest Lake.  The worst of these sites are simply corridors of crumbling bituminous leading to a narrow area of reed canary grass and debris with areas of erosion and small gullies where sheet flow from the street runs off directly to the lake. 

The proposed projects would replace these areas with upland infiltration basins (rain gardens), and native plantings in order to slow the run-off down and potentially reduce run-off volume and associated nutrients. This run-off has lead to gullies at the end of each street and considerable sedimentation and pollutant loading to the lake.  A portion of the end of each road will be broken up and excavated to provide sufficient space for the basins/plantings.  The street side of the project area will allow water to enter a basin through a small reinforced channel.  The interior of the basins include native plants and shrubs typical of a rain garden.  The lake side of the basins will be graded to form a small berm with an emergency overflow and stabilized with native plantings that go down to the shoreline of the lake. These will all be appropriately stabilized with erosion control blankets and biologs, especially where water flows into and out of the basin.  Each site will also include a gravel/mulch path to the lake.

While the projects are scheduled to begin the fall of 2008, additional plantings will take place in the spring of 2009. 

The Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) signs a contract with The MPCA to undertake a TMDL on its impaired lakes

Forest Lake, January 21, 2008:

Upon MPCA approval of their submitted TMDL work plan, the CLFLWD recently signed a contract with the MPCA (December 2007), and received Clean Water Legacy funding to undertake TMDL studies on its impaired lakes.  The studies, an extension of their recently completed watershed-wide load allocation model for the design of a capital improvement plan (CIP) stusy, will expand funding opportunities to remediate the impairments and reduce the burden on local tax payers.  

The Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District receives an MPCA grant to subsidize its lake and stream monitoring program in 2008

Forest Lake, January 21, 2008:

The CLFLWD, in partnership with the Washington Conservation District (WCD), was successful in its recent MPCA Surface Water Assessment Grant application (http://www.pca.state.mn.us/publications/wq-s1-05.pdf), receiving $28,975 to help fund monitoring throughout the watershed in order to  the gather data on resources lacking information for thorough assessments. 

Free Nitrate Water-Testing Clinic Coming to Scandia and Rush City

Forest Lake, June 5, 2007:

Homeowners who rely on private wells for their drinking water supply should test for nitrates on a regular basis. Private well owners are encouraged to participate at the free nitrate testing clinic that will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2007.

From 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. homeowners can bring water samples to the City of Scandia Community and Senior Center, 14727 209th Street North, Scandia.

From 1:00 p.m. to 3 p.m. homeowners can bring water samples to the Nesel Township Hall, 49205 Acacia Trail, (Chisago County Road 4), Stanchfield. The Town Hall is located approximately 2/10th miles north of the Rush Point Store on the corner of Chisago County Road 7 and Chisago County Road 4.

The clinic is sponsored by the Comfort Lake - Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD), Chisago County Zoning/Environmental Services, the City of Scandia, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Nitrates are the most common contaminants in Minnesota's groundwater, and a significant number of the state's wells have high nitrate levels. With that in mind, we urge people to take advantage of the free clinic.

Past studies by MDA indicate that between 5 percent and 25 percent of the private wells in greater Minnesota have nitrate levels above federal drinking water standards. Nitrates in drinking water have been shown to have serious health risks, Minnesotans need to determine their risks and, in some cases, take appropriate steps to reduce or eliminate nitrates in their drinking water.

In order to participate in the testing, homeowners must bring at least one-half cup of water in either a Whirl-Pak plastic bag or a Ziploc-type bag. In order to get a good sample, allow the water to run five to 10 minutes before filling the bag. Homeowners with distillators, reverse osmosis or other nitrate removal systems should take two water samples - one before and one after the treatment process. This will determine if the nitrate removal system is working. Homeowners with just a water softener need to take one sample, either before or after the water passes through the water softener. Only water from private wells will be tested.

Samples should be taken no more than 24 hours before the testing, and they must be refrigerated. Samples should be cool when arriving at the clinic. To ensure accuracy, homeowners should mark the bags with their name, phone number and a well identification number if more than one well is sampled.

Homeowners may remain anonymous. In that case, they should simply choose another easily recognized number to put on the well samples. It is not necessary to provide information about the well or well location.

Samples are analyzed on the spot- the process usually takes less than five minutes - and results are given directly to the homeowner. If the nitrate level in a sample is elevated, clinic staff can refer the homeowner to certified labs that will retest the water. For more information on the clinic, contact Randy Anhorn at 651.209.9753 or randy.anhorn@clflwd.org.

Comfort Lake - Forest Lake Watershed District and the City of Forest Lakes' Storm Drain Stenciling Program Puts Message on the Street About Water Quality

Forest Lake, June 2, 2007:

Watch out for groups of local Cub Scouts and adults roaming the streets of Forest Lake with spray cans on Saturday, June 23, 2007. No, they are not graffiti artists. They are volunteers for a storm drain stenciling project put on by the Comfort Lake - Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) and the City of Forest Lake. Volunteers participating in this project will mark street curbs near storm drains with a permanent message stating, "DUMP NO WASTE, DRAINS TO FRESH WATER" and "DUMP NO WASTE, DRAINS TO LAKE" in an effort to help the City of Forest Lake and CLFLWD with its storm water management and education programs. The storm drain stenciling project is one of many activities aimed at preventing trash, pet waste, and household chemicals from entering into Forest Lake, a key focal point and important recreational resource within the City and in the CLFLWD, and other lakes and receiving waterbodies.

Rain washes down streets and parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks, roofs and yards, carrying water and everything it picks up into storm drains. Storm drains are the entry point into a storm sewer system and this system eventually discharges storm water directly to local lakes and receiving waterbodies without treatment! The storm drain stenciling project is part of a larger storm water management program that strives to keep local water resources free of trash, dirt, and chemicals, such as used motor oil, by promoting smart practices that will reduce sources of pollution on the land. Through storm drain stenciling, CLFLWD and the City of Forest Lake hope to increase residents' awareness about the connection between the street and their yards, storm drains, and the storm sewer system. "Most people do not understand that storm drains are the entry point into the storm sewer system, and that storm water runoff leaving the system does not get treated first like sanitary wastewater," commented Doug Borglund, Community Development Director for the City of Forest Lake.

But there are things that everyone can do to reduce the amount of trash, debris, pet wastes, and chemicals carried by storm water. The most basic way to help is to never dump anything you wouldn't drink or swim in down a storm drain. Other ways to help include picking up pet wastes, properly disposing of household chemicals such as paints and cleaning supplies, sweeping driveways and sidewalks instead of hosing them, and washing cars at car wash facilities or on lawns rather than in driveways. For more information on storm drain stenciling and the storm water and education programs, contact Randy Anhorn, Administrator, Comfort Lake - Forest Lake Watershed District 651.209.9753, or Doug Borglund, Community Development Director, City of Forest Lake 651.209.9734. And the next time it rains, consider where the storm water drains.

Are Your Lake and Streams Important to You?

Forest Lake, April 24, 2007:

Join the Comfort Lake - Forest Lake Watershed District Citizen's Advisory Committee

The Comfort Lake - Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) is seeking persons interested in serving on its Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC).

The CAC is made up of volunteers who advise the Board of Managers on water-related community concerns and issues. The CAC's purpose, as established by the Board of Managers is to provide public input to the CLFLWD regarding policy and project matters, provide a channel of communication to the Board Managers, aid in fostering a positive public image of the CLFLWD, and help to educate the public about the CLFLWD's goals and accomplishments.

There are currently multiple openings on the CLFLWD CAC. Citizen Advisory Committee members are appointed by the Board of Managers. The CAC is comprised of 15 members throughout the watershed.

People interested in being considered for the CAC should submit a completed application form and any additional information about your experience to the CLFLWD office at 220 North Lake Street, Forest Lake, MN 55025. Applications for the CAC or any additional information can be download here or obtained by contacting Randy Anhorn, CLFLWD Administrator, at randy.anhorn@clflwd.org or by calling 651-209-9753.

Comfort Lake - Forest Lake Watershed District announces establishment of local office

Forest Lake, January 30, 2007:

The CLFLWD hires first full time administrator/staff engineer January 2, 2007

For the first time since its establishment in 1999, citizens and elected officials of the Comfort Lake/Fores Lake Watershed District have a local office to coordinate water related concerns.

Randy Anhorn was hired as the administrator/staff engineer effective January 2. The office is currently in the basement of the Forest Lake City Hall with the Watershed District meetings held in the Forest Lake City Council chambers on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The District also contracted with the firm of EOR, Emmons & Oliver Resources, to provide professional engineering oversight and guidance on projects.

Anhorn is a graduate of St. Cloud State University with a Masters Degree in Aquatic Biology/Limnology. He has nearly 20 years experience working on water resource management issues in both the public and private sectors, including state and regional agencies, water management organizations, counties, municipalities and citizen groups. Most recently Anhorn served as a Principal Environmental Scientist for the Met Council where he oversaw the Met Council's Lakes Program, which included the initiation of its volunteer lake monitoring program and sampling and monitoring of nearly 200 water bodies in 2006, including many of the CLFL Watershed lakes.

"We're very excited the district is taking this next step of building a local presence and providing resources to our citizens and community partners," District Manager Jackie Anderson said. Having a local full-time administrator/staff engineer will allow the District to move quickly to the development of consistent uniform rules and regulations for the entire watershed. Rules and regulations are mandated by state statute for all watersheds in Minnesota. "The administrator will allow us to fulfill our mission of protecting and conserving our local water resources," Manager Tom Lynch stated. In his capacity as staff engineer, Anhorn will coordinate and oversee the work of contracted professional engineers and work with local community staffs to address water resource issues during development and land use review processes in each member community.

Anhorn has already contacted most community government offices within the District in his first month and has met with both county governments. "There is a tremendous cooperative spirit in this District that will make the challenges we face in cleaning up and protecting our water resources much easier," Anhorn said. A formal letter of introduction is being sent to each community.

One of the Administrator's key roles is building strong partnerships with local, regional and state governing bodies to coordinate planning and management of water related issues and to encourage and monitor the implementation of best management practices. "We are so fortunate to have someone with Anhorn's experience and background as our first administrator," Manager Jon Spence stated.

"The City of Forest Lake has our deepest gratitude for assisting with the set-up of the local watershed office," Manager Dick Damchik said. The Watershed Board at its last meeting authorized a letter of commendation to the staff and city for their cooperation and assistance.

"I believe, as do the Board of Managers, that our efforts, even small ones, can have a big cumulative impact on the condition of our lakes and rivers," Anhorn said.

"As a lifelong resident of Central Minnesota, I have always felt a strong connection to our lakes and rivers," Anhorn said. "This has shaped my belief that our water resources play an important role in our everyday life, contributing to our economy, recreational activities, education and lifestyle. I'm excited about this tremendous opportunity to make a valuable contribution to protect and manage the Comfort Lake/Forest Lake area's water resources."

The CLFL Watershed District encompasses a 49 square mile area in Northern Washington and Southeastern Chisago Counties and includes the cities of Scandia, Forest Lake, the southeastern portion of Chisago City (formerly Wyoming Township) a small portion of the City of Wyoming and portions of the Townships of Wyoming and Chisago Lakes. There are six major recreational lakes within its boundaries: Forest, Bone, Shields and Sylvan (Halfbreed) in Washington County and Big and Little Comfort in Chisago County.

The CLFLWD is one of 46 watershed districts in Minnesota and is governed by a five-person board. Watershed managers are appointed by their respective county board's with three managers from Washington County and two mangers from Chisago County. Current board members from Washington County are: Richard Damchik, John T. (Tom) Lynch and recently appointed from Bone Lake, Wayne Moe, who will attend his first District meeting in February. Current board members from Chisago County are; Jackie Anderson and Jon Spence.

For more information about the CLFLWD, its goals and what residents can do to help protect their water resources, contact the District office at 651-209-9753, email the administrator at randy.anhorn@clflwd.org, or visit the District office at Forest Lake City Hall, 220 North Lake Street, Forest Lake.