Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
2015 RECOMMENDED PROJECT WORK PLAN
PREPARED BY:_Becky Houdek DATE: July 17, 2014_
Project Halsted Bay Internal Loading (3144)
Location Halsted Bay, Six Mile Marsh—Lake Minnetonka and Six Mile Creek Subwatersheds
Description Background:
The District’s monitoring data and modeling of the Six Mile Creek system indicate a
large internal load in the lower portion of Six Mile Creek, particularly in Parley and Mud
Lakes, as well as in Halsted’s Bay itself. For this reason, the CIP recommended an
investigation of an alum injection system to treat the discharge from Six Mile Creek
before it enters Halsted Bay as well as internal load management within Halsted Bay.
A feasibility study for these two projects was completed in November 2013 in
partnership with the City of Minnetrista. The City signed a MOU with the District
documenting their intent to partner with the District on these projects.
In April 2014, the findings and recommendations of the Six Mile Creek Diagnostic Study
were discussed with the Planning and Policy Committee. The study reaffirmed the
substantial contribution of nutrients from internal loading in the lower portion of the
watershed, estimating that approximately fifty percent of the loading to Halsted Bay is
coming from the outlet of Mud Lake with another forty percent coming from within
Halsted Bay itself.
It was summarized that a combination of management strategies would be required in
order to address the impairment of Halsted Bay: (1) internal load management via alum
dosing; and (2) shallow lake management within Parley and Mud Lake. Given the time
period, cost and uncertainty associated with shallow lake management, the study
recommended an integrated strategy that combines alum dosing of Halsted Bay with
alum injection of Mud Lake discharge, while managing Parley and Mud Lakes for long
term ecological restoration.
The Committee discussed the balance between immediate improvements in water quality
coupled with long term restoration strategies. Specifically, it was noted that immediate
improvements in water quality may garner broader support for long-term ecological
restoration needed within the subwatershed.
Given the scope of management required, the Committee agreed that future policy
discussions would be required to continue focusing management strategies into an
achievable implementation framework.
2015 Budget:
In 2014, the District levied or transferred in $162,805 for design of the alum injection
system. Following preliminary discussions with the Policy and Planning Committee
regarding the timing of upstream versus downstream treatment and the substantial costs
of such a project, it was put on hold until a more comprehensive implementation plan for
the system is developed. These monies will be carried over into 2015 and held assigned
until the implementation plan and funding strategy is established.
Need Halsted Bay is impaired for nutrients and required the largest load reduction of any water
bodies in the District (based on TMDL studies). Monitoring data and modeling of the Six
Mile Creek system indicate a large internal load in the lower portion of Six Mile Creek,
particularly in Parley and Mud Lakes, as well as in Halsted’s Bay itself.
Outcome Address the nutrient impairment for Halsted Bay through alum dosing of Halsted’s Bay
and upstream offline-alum-injection system in combination with shallow lake
management of Mud and Parley Lakes.
Schedule TBD
Budget/Levy History Tax Grants & Transfer
Year Budget Revenue Other Rev. Expenditures in/out Carryover
2013 $0 $0 $0 $0 $51,788 $51,788
2014 $155,000 $111,017 $0 ($1,000)* $0 $161,805*
2015 $161,805 $0
*Estimated amounts.
Recommended 2015 Budget and Levy Budget: $161,805
Levy: $0
Detailed Budget:
Budget Planning and Policy Development
Contracted Services
Survey/Data Collection
Engineering/Consulting
Equipment/Supplies
Meetings/Seminars
Maintenance Plan Dev.
Legal
Other/Miscellaneous
sub-total $
Project/Program Implementation
Training
Contracted Services $161,805
Project Management
Property or Easement Acquisition
Engineering
Supplies/Equipment
Construction
Landscaping/restoration
Legal
Meetings/Seminars
Monitoring/Lab Analysis/Inventories
Other/Miscellaneous
Permit Research
Permit Acquisition
Operations/Maintenance
Grants/Awards/Loans Given
sub-total $161,805
Communications-Education-Stakeholder Involvement
Training
Supplies/Equipment
Meetings/Seminars
Printing
Publishing
Postage
Dues/Subscriptions
Other/Miscellaneous
Computer Services
Contracted Services
Engineering/Consulting
Legal
Construction
Teacher Stipend
Grants/Awards/Loans Given
sub-total $
TOTAL $161,805
