April 19 is the deadline for applying to the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources for grants under the One Watershed, One Plan program. The agency has up to $1.5 million available in Clean Water Funds for these grants. This funding is for partnerships of counties, watershed districts, and soil and water conservation districts to use a systematic, science-based approach to watershed management to develop plans that provide the greatest environmental benefits to each watershed. The Clean Water Fund was established by the Legacy Amendment passed in 2008 that dedicates a special sales tax to environmental projects.

May 15 is the deadline for proposals to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources for grants from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which is funded with Minnesota Lottery and investment proceeds. The commission expects that $50 million will be available for projects that start in July 2018. The commission is responsible for making funding recommendations to the Minnesota Legislature. The full Request for Proposals is available on the commission’s website. Since 1991, the fund has provided about $500 million to 1,000 projects around the state.

Thanks to many partners and funding sources, Bald Eagle Lake in the northern Twin Cities is meeting state water quality standards for the first time since 1980.

Once plagued by algal blooms and murky water, this lake near Hugo is now much healthier for recreation.

“This is an example of good science, strong collaboration, and fiscal responsibility resulting in a successful restoration project with an estimated project lifespan of at least 30 years,” said Bryan Bear, Hugo city administrator.

The Rice Creek Watershed District worked with several partners and tapped many funding resources for the $1.7 million project, including:

• $497,000 from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources’ Clean Water Fund
• $400,000 Clean Water Partnership loan from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)
• Remainder from the watershed district and Bald Eagle Lake Water Management District, a special tax for lakeshore owners that was initiated by the property owners themselves

Partners in the lake restoration included the City of Hugo, lakeshore property owners, and a local golf course. Following the implementation of the project, phosphorus and algae decreased by 67% and 69%, respectively, and clarity improved by 63%. Bald Eagle Lake is meeting state water quality standards for nutrients, algae, and clarity for the first time since 1980, when data collection began. 

“Today we have more than 5 feet of water clarity on Bald Eagle Lake. I think it’s closer to 8 or 10 feet this year in August. Three years ago, we were lucky to have 1 foot. I no longer need to worry about my grandsons swimming in a toxic algae bloom!” said Gary Krejcarek last winter. He has lived on or near the lake for 40 years and is president of the Bald Eagle Area Association.

This project used a three-pronged approach to improve water quality in the lake. First, the lake was treated with aluminum sulfate, or “alum” (photo above). Alum is a non-toxic material that attaches itself to phosphorus.  Once alum and phosphorus are combined, phosphorus is no longer available to stimulate algae growth. This was Minnesota’s largest full lake alum treatment. 

Second, the local Oneka Ridge Golf Course installed a system that captures stormwater and reuses it for watering the golf course.  This reduces the amount of stormwater flowing to the lake and reduces the use of groundwater for irrigation.

Finally, 10 residential rain gardens were installed and 6 shoreline areas restored.  They capture stormwater and reduce runoff that carries phosphorous into the lake. 

The project earned the Rice Creek Watershed District a special award in 2016 from the Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts. “This is particularly satisfying because the award is heavily based on the measurable results in the lake. The fact that the homeowners are pleased makes it even more gratifying,” said Matt Kocian, the district’s lake and stream specialist.

The Rice Creek Watershed District encompasses about 186 square miles of urban and rural lands in Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington Counties with the purpose of conserving and restoring water resources for the beneficial use of current and future generations.

To meet standards, the TMDL study identifies the following reductions in phosphorus levels:

• Anne – 90%
• Emily- 35%
• Gilchrist - 48%
• Leven - 35%
• Malmedal - 72%
• Pelican - 35%
• Reno - 36%
• Strandness - 54%

Sources of phosphorus include direct sources such as wastewater treatment facilities, as well as indirect sources such as stormwater runoff. The study calls for reductions in phosphorus from wastewater treatment facilities in Lowry and Starbuck, and stormwater runoff from construction activities in Pope County, among other sources.

Buffalo River watershed: Several impairments documented, several strategies needed

In the Buffalo River watershed in northwestern Minnesota, 38 water bodies fail to meet water quality standards for aquatic life and/or recreation. Impairments include:

• High bacteria levels that can make water unsafe for swimming
• Cloudy water that can make it difficult for fish and other creatures to survive
• High nutrient levels that cause algae
• Low dissolved oxygen levels that can stress aquatic life and cause other problems

The TMDL study and related work have also identified locations where conditions make it difficult to support aquatic insects and fish.

To meet standards, the study recommends several strategies. Among them are:

• Increase septic system compliance
• Improve livestock management
• Restore and protect buffers along waterways
• Improve nutrient management
• Increase water retention
• Increase cover crops and perennial vegetation

This watershed, mostly used for agriculture, covers more than 1,100 square miles in portions of Clay, Becker, Wilkin and Otter Tail counties in western Minnesota.

The TMDL is part of a larger Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies report, which was approved by the MPCA in August 2016.

Cannon watershed provides high quality streams, but some suffering from pollutants

The Cannon River watershed in southeastern Minnesota provides high-quality streams that are valued for trout fishing and other recreation. However, some parts of these streams suffer from bacteria levels that may make the water unsafe for swimming, soil and sediment that cloud the water, phosphorus levels that can cause frequent algal blooms, and nitrate levels that may stress aquatic life like fish.

The Cannon River watershed drains 946,440 acres, most of it used for agriculture, and consists of two river systems: the Cannon and the Straight.

This watershed provides drinking water for households and industry, habitat for aquatic life, habitat for wildlife, and many recreational opportunities. The Cannon River is designated as a Wild and Scenic River starting downstream of its confluence with the Straight River in Faribault. The watershed has many lakes, along with trout streams that attract many local and Twin Cities residents for fly fishing.

For the lakes and streams in the watershed to meet water quality standards, the reductions in pollutants need to come from both point sources, such as wastewater from a city, and nonpoint sources such as sediment that washes from the landscape during storms.  The TMDL report outlines strategies to reduce pollutants, such as agricultural practices to reduce runoff and erosion, manure runoff controls, sewer system upgrades, limits on wastewater discharges, and urban stormwater controls.

The TMDL is part of a larger Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies report, which was approved by the MPCA in October 2016.

Root River watershed also provides high quality streams, but some need help

The Root River watershed in southeastern Minnesota provides high quality streams for trout fishing and other recreation. However, some parts of streams suffer from bacteria levels that may make the water unsafe for swimming, soil and sediment that cloud the water, and nitrate levels that may stress aquatic life like fish.

At 1,670 square miles, the Root is one of the largest watersheds in Minnesota, and touches six counties.

The TMDL study identifies pollutants in the Root River and tributaries, determines the reductions needed, and recommends actions to take like planting cover crops and reducing runoff.

This area of Minnesota is vulnerable to pollution because of its karst landscape. In karst, only a thin layer of soil covers the porous bedrock underneath and allows pollutants on the land to easily reach groundwater used for drinking. In a karst landscape, where caves and sinkholes are common, streams and groundwater mix as water moves through the bedrock. Because of karst, there are no lakes in this watershed.

The TMDL study is part of a larger Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS) report, which was approved by the MPCA in November 2016.

More than 200,000 acres of Minnesota farmland are now enrolled in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. The program recently marked the milestone at Dave Lochen’s Shore Acres Farm near Kimball in Stearns County. Shore Acres Farm is a beef cattle and diversified crop operation growing seed and sweet corn, soybeans, and wheat.

The Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture (MDA) certification is a voluntary program for farmers and landowners that protects the state’s water resources. Since the program’s inception under Gov. Mark Dayton in 2014, 365 farms have been certified across Minnesota.

To date, certified farms have added 628 new conservation practices that protect Minnesota’s waters. Those new practices have kept over 12.1 million pounds of sediment out of Minnesota rivers while saving nearly 17.4 million pounds of soil and 7,414 pounds of phosphorous on farms each year. Those numbers will increase as more landowners enroll in the program.

As part of his certification, Lochen has made changes to fertility, reduced some tillage practices, and added cover crops. Those changes will reduce water runoff and improve soil health. After being certified, each farm is deemed to be in compliance with new water quality laws and regulations for 10 years. Certification is also an approved practice that farmers can use to comply with the state buffer law.

Photo above: From left are MDA Commissioner Dave Frederickson, Jayne and Dave Lochen, and MDA Assistant Commissioner Susan Stokes.

Sustainable Practices for Clean Water is the April theme of Gov. Dayton's “Year of Water Action.” Dayton encourages all Minnesotans to take a role in protecting our state’s most precious resource for future generations. The governor has called on Minnesotans to work together to find solutions to keep Minnesota’s water clean and accessible to everyone. Despite the state’s abundance of lakes, rivers, groundwater and streams, more than 40 percent of Minnesota’s waters are currently listed as impaired or polluted.