2007-07-26_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

'~ .~.. ~~ ~~ r ~~ ~ t fix, t '~ ~, `ff'^' ::~ ~~ +' - ~,~„-~,~,~x ivo7A%~ {, ~„ In 1999, RWMWD won a first-place award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its innovative approaches to improving water quality in Tanners i Lake-a significant local water resource providing substantial recreational opportunities and native plant and animal habitat. After several years of declining water quality due to urbanization, RWMWD implemented several improvement projects including: ~~ Construction of an alum injection facility to remove phosphorus and sediment from stormwater Construction of three stormwater treatment ponds Implementation of a watershed-wide public education program Water quality monitoring in 2005 indicates the alum injection facility at Tanners ' Lake is removing 67 percent of the phosphorus entering the facility. Beneficial. aquatic plant communities have expanded due to increased water clarity. Tanners Lake E T oa m ~ f Hypereutrophic -~ ~ ~+ os ~ __.~ _~.1.-____ ~ uQi ~ ° ~ Eutrophic a= I LO 15 `m i_ E v z.o r®._. N ~ ~ 2.5 ~l_ ~ s ~ Mesotrophic 9.5 zaoe zuo, xaoz z~ws zaoa Tanners Lake is iaotiv consistently meeting or exceedin„ the Disb•icts ~a>ater quality goals far the lake. Page 3 GOAL: PROMOTE QUALITY SURFACE WATER ACHIEVE HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS PROVIDE FOR FLOOD CONTROL SUSTAIN QUALITY GROUNDWATER EDUCATE AND INVOLVE CITIZENS MANAGE ORGANIZATION EFFECTIVELY The quality of surface waters is maintained or improved to meet or exceed the water quality necessary to support RWMWD designated beneficial uses. The RWMWD tracks water quality in District lakes and streams through its Water Quality Monitoring Program. The annual program includes in-lake monitoring of all nine major District lakes, six of which involve collaboration with the Ramsey County Environmental Services Office. Since 1995, the District has also been monitoring the flows at the outlets from the Beltline Interceptor, Battle Creek, and Fish Creek. _ - t _ i _ _ .''C - t ,. L .-. z' - ~. -~ ~. ~, _ _ - ~_-: - - _ ~i w. i .. ~; r uy r y _ ~-L _Y- ~ <.f .- { ~ ~ Water ga~rality inurban lakes,~such us Tanners Lake pictarred above, is closely linked to land arse in the sztrrounding tivatershed. The RWMWD has completed numerous lake studies to: 1. Characterize the stormwater runoff and pollutant loading to RWMWD lakes 2. Identify the effects of land use development on the water resources 3. Assist in determining realistic water quality targets for individual lakes 4. Develop strategies to improve water quality The lake studies completed by the RWMWD include the Phalen Chain of Lakes Strategic Lake Management Plan (SLMP), the Carver Lake SLMP, the Beaver Lake SLMP, and the Battle Creek Lake Subwatershed Study (see Part LB. of the Resource and Organizational Assessment). Based on recommendations from these studies and other water quality analyses, the RWMWD has implemented numerous projects to maintain or improve water quality within the District's water resources. The locations of these water quality improvement projects are depicted in Figure 2 on page 6. In addition to conducting numerous studies and implementing many water quality improvement projects, the RWMWD also protects water quality through implementation of its permitting program. The program regulates activities at constl-uction sites to minimize erosion and sediment loss and requires a stormwater management plan that adheres to RWMWD standards and criteria for treatment of stormwater runoff. Through this program, the RWMWD has facilitated implementation of a number of best management practices (BMPs), which minimize the impacts of development on water quality. The lakes, ponds, streams, and wetlands in the RWMWD are an important community asset, supplying recreational and aesthetic benefits, wildlife habitat, and fishery resources.. However, maintaining high water quality in these water ------ -- ~~ s Ramsey-Washington Metro ~~~ .. _y District