The BCWD ten-year management plan

Completed in 2006; the District has set goals to work on the following items:

• Implement Long Lake Management Plan to reduce phosphorus loading by 35%.
• Work with the City of Stillwater to develop a McKusick Lake Management Plan.
• Initiate a Land Protection Program.
• Develop and implement a Brown’s Creek Corridor Plan.

Important Recent Projects

Trout Habitat Preservation Project was initiated in 1999 and completed in 2001 was a flood protection project, which focused on protection and enhancements of the sensitive spring-fed headwaters of Brown’s Creek, as well as stabilization of water levels in the landlocked basin of the lakes. This project won the 2004 MAWD project of the year award.

Kismet Basin Stabilization Project was a flood protection project ordered in 2001 after extensive negotiation with affected landowners and consideration of several alternate designs, each with varying degrees of drainage and infiltration. Construction was completed in 2001 and planting and landscape alterations took place in early 2002.

Kern Center Pond Regional Infiltration System Completed spring 2005, ensured that future development in the drainage area would meet the District’s storm water standards for rate, volume and water quality. Funding provided funded by the BCWD, the City of Oak Park Heights and a 2002 BWSR Challenge Grant (design).

Long Lake Management Plan Developed in 2006 with community and stakeholders groups; determined to work towards a 35% reduction in total phosphorus from subwatersheds over next 10 years. A 2006-07 BWSR Challenge Grant was awarded in the amount of $75,000 to help implement the plan.

Permitting Program The BCWD has implemented a permitting program since 2000, applying rules to volume and rate of water movement, buffers adjacent to water resources, shoreline modifications, waterbody crossings, floodplain alteration and erosion control in instances of significant surface construction. The rules are currently being revised to enhance the volume control standard and buffer standards, as well as to provide additional protection for groundwater dependent natural resources.

The Hydraulic and Hydrological Study Completed in 1998 and updated in 2004, is a very exact study of the district watershed and sub-watersheds, incorporating the two-foot contour mapping, GIS location, a natural resources inventory, the North Washington Groundwater Study and an extensive update to the computerized modeling (XP-SWMM) necessary to manage the water resources of the District’s lakes, ponds, wetlands, streams and Brown’s Creek.

Cost-share Program In 2006 for homeowners willing to install practices to improve water quality on the TMDL listed waterbodies in the District. Projects in 2006 include: over 1,000 feet of shoreline restoration, three rain gardens, and provided design and construction over-site for a pervious driveway.