crwd winter 2013 newsletter
DESCRIPTION
Read about ongoing projects and new initiatives for 2013.TRANSCRIPT
2 Stop the Rain Drain update
3 Upcoming projects
3 Como Lake: Past, Present, and Future presentation
BACK 2013 Partner Grants
INSIDE
News from Capitol Region Watershed District Winter 2013
Improvements to the Como Golf Course Pond began in fall 2012 and
will be complete by early summer 2013. The pond is located south of Hoyt Avenue West and east of North Chelsea Street within the City of Saint Paul’s Como Golf Course. The pond, finished in late 2007, is adjacent to the 3rd and 11th fairways and was a part of the Arlington Pascal Stormwater Improvement Project. It is located at a natural low point in the golf course and was designed to capture stormwater to minimize flooding in the surrounding neighborhoods. It also allows pollutants to settle before the stormwater flows to Como Lake.
Due to an increased frequency of larger rainfall events, lack of vegetation around the pond, and poor soil condi-tions, the pond had suffered from bank
erosion, and turf loss was a problem on the adjacent fairway.
In 2012, CRWD proposed improvements to address these issues. Drainage improvements are being made to the fairway, the size of the pond will be increased, the pond edge regraded, and a continuous native shoreline buffer installed. These improve-ments will enable the treatment of a larger volume of runoff, stabilize the shoreline, deter nuisance wildlife, and improve the quality of stormwater before it flows into Como Lake. So, watch for the new and improved Como Golf Course Pond — construction of the area is complete and replanting of the shoreline will take place this spring.
Como Golf Course Pond Improvement Projectby Lindsay VanPatten
Our mission is to protect, manage and improve the water resources of the Capitol Region Watershed District.
Capitol Region Watershed District 1410 Energy Park Drive, Suite 4 • St. Paul, MN 55108 • 651-644-8888 • www.capitolregionwd.org
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Como Golf Course construction
Capitol Region
Watershed District
1410 Energy Park Drive Ste 4
St. Paul, MN 55108
651-644-8888
capitolregionwd.org
Board of Managers: Joe Collins, President; Mike Thienes, Treasurer; Seitu Jones, Secretary; Mary Texer, Vice President Shirley Reider
Staff: Mark Doneux, AdministratorMelissa Baker, Water Resource Technician Elizabeth Beckman, Education & OutreachDavid Depaz, Seasonal Water Resource
TechnicianAnna Eleria, Water Resource SpecialistBob Fossum, Water Resource Project
ManagerForrest Kelley, Permit CoordinatorCorey Pohland, Seasonal Water
Resource Technician Joe Sellner, Seasonal Water
Resource TechnicianBritta Suppes, Water Resource TechnicianLindsay VanPatten, Education Assistant
and Receptionist
CRWD residents do their part to keep our lakes
and rivers clean. Since 2010, 133 homeowners
have responded to CRWD’s call to redirect their
downspouts!
Redirecting rainwater that runs down polluted
alleys and streets to lawn and garden areas allows
it to soak into the ground. This decreases pollution
reaching the Mississippi River and may also decrease
the need to water plants or gardens.
In addition to helping clean water, Stop the Rain Drain has increased homeowner awareness of clean
water issues and the role of CRWD in protecting our
water resources. This spring, when snow is melting, take a look down your street or
alley and notice where the water is going and what it might be carrying with it on
its way to our lakes and rivers.
Stop the Rain Drain 2012 updateby Lindsay VanPatten
Completed gutter redirection
Established in 1998, CRWD
covers 40 square miles and
includes portions
of the cities of Falcon Heights,
Lauderdale, Maplewood,
Roseville and St. Paul.
Located within Ramsey
County, it has a population of
225,000 people. The district
drains to The Mississippi
River, also its primary water
resource. Como Lake, Crosby
Lake, Loeb Lake and Lake
McCarrons are also located in
the District.
2 Capitol Region Watershed District Winter 2013
Downspout draining to greenspace
Sample doorhanger
Be part of the solution; these small
changes can have large impacts. To
learn more about CRWD and how you
can help protect and improve our water
resources please visit our website at
capitolregionwd.org.
The Villa Park Wetlands next to
Roseville’s Lake McCarrons will
be restored this summer by removing
decades-worth of sediment. The
project will result in higher quality
wetland habitat and improved
treatment of stormwater runoff on
its way to Lake McCarrons. CRWD
has also received $275,000 from the
MN Clean Water Fund for a project to
determine the best locations for clean
water projects to reduce pollution
in stormwater draining to Villa Park
Wetland.
Work on Saint Paul’s new Trillium Nature Sanctuary will begin this
summer with the construction of
clean water features including ponds,
wetlands and a 3,000-ft stream
channel. The sanctuary is a 42-acre
site located west of 35E between
Maryland Avenue and Cuyuga Street.
In Saint Paul’s Highland neigh-
borhood, the Highland Ravine has
been subject to serious soil erosion
problems for years. During large
rainfalls, enormous amounts of
stormwater carrying sediment and
woody debris flow down the ravine’s
steep slopes and into the Mississippi
River via the city’s storm drain system.
With a grant from the MN Clean
Water Fund, CRWD will stabilize the
ravine and restore woodland areas
to help solve erosion problems. The
project will begin this spring and be
completed in 2014.
The use of Curtiss Field in Falcon
Heights is often impacted by the
frequent flooding of Curtiss Pond.
CRWD will work with the City of
Falcon Heights to improve the
function of the pond and reduce
flooding to the park and neigh-
borhood.
CRWD plans exciting projects for 2013
Winter 2013 Capitol Region Watershed District 3
by Elizabeth Beckman
Stabilizing the Highland Ravine and restoring woodland areas will help solve erosion problems.
Improving the function of Curtiss Pond will
reduce flooding to the park and neighborhood.
For more information visit www.district10comopark.org
FREE EVENT! Como Community Sunday Series
Como Lake: Past, Present,
and FutureFebruary 17, 2-3:30 p.m.North Dale Recreation Center
1414 St. Albans Street, Saint Paul
1410 Energy Park Drive, Suite 4
St. Paul, MN 55108
651-644-8888
651-644-8894 fax
www.capitolregionwd.org
CRWD 2013 Partner Grants
Now accepting grant applications for clean water projects ranging from $2,000 to $20,000.
Cleaner lakes and rivers depend on more citizen participation, so CRWD offers grants to help organi-zations and institutions who work with citizens to prevent water pollution. Examples of eligible clean water projects include education or organizing projects, events, rain gardens, or pervious pavement.
Visit the Grants page at capitolregionwd.org for an application and a list of past grantees.
Applications are due February 15
Como Lake Neighbor Network Leaf Clean-up Event