Washington Judicial Ditch-6 Wetland Restoration

Project Description & Outcomes

The proposed project will restore a wetland including sediment excavation and vegetation rehabilitation. The current wetland condition is partially drained by a small private ditch that flows into Washington Judicial Ditch 6 (WJD-6) and eventually into Forest Lake, and 100% dominated by a monotype of reed canary grass. The excavation and scraping will provide for deeper pools along with large shallow wetland benches to promote nutrient uptake. This design will create a longer flow path and promote nutrient uptake in the saturated wetland benches. Creating a wetter regime should also promote improved vegetation and habitat diversity. This project is estimated to reduce phosphorus loading to Forest Lake by approximately 38 lb/yr, achieving 40% of the remaining WJD-6 subwatershed phosphorus reduction goal.

This project was identified as a result of the Forest Lake Diagnostic Study and subsequent WJD-6 Assessment and Feasibility Study (Phase 1 | Phase 2).

The CLFLWD received a $386,000 Clean Water Fund (CWF) grant from the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) for this project.