Project Description & Outcomes
The Forest Lake Alum Treatment Project is a milestone project in achieving Forest Lake’s water quality goals. The Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District has worked with many partners to construct water quality projects for more than a decade. With the critical support of the City of Forest Lake and the Forest Lake Lake Association, these projects have led to a significant decline in phosphorus entering the lake. The watershed district targets phosphorus, because in excess amounts, it causes algae blooms and lowers water quality. Less phosphorus is entering the lake, but a project is needed to address the phosphorus that is already in the water.
The lake will be treated with alum which will bind to the phosphorus and make it unavailable for algae growth. Alum is a non-toxic water quality treatment that will result in a cleaner and clearer Forest Lake.
The alum treatment will take place in September 2023. The Watershed District will monitor the lake after the treatment to measure success and determine if a second application is needed in 2025.
Project Status
In-Progress
Project Outcomes
527 lbs/yr phosphorus removal
Financials
Clean Water Fund Grants: $533,600
CLFLWD Grant Match: $133,400
Total Project Budget : $667,000
Lifecycle cost:
$100 per pound of phosphorus removed
(What does this mean?)
Timeline
Fall 2023: Alum application #1
2024: Effectiveness Monitoring
Fall 2025: Potential alum application #2