Projects

A LITTLE HISTORY: Beltrami County adopted their first Comprehensive Local Water Plan (CLWP) in 1991. The CLWP is a locally driven program that identifies and implements strategies that help maintain or improve the water quality of Beltrami County's lakes, rivers, and groundwater. Serving as the lead implementing agency, the SWCD depends upon a citizen Advisory Committee to help direct the CLWP's efforts.

Adopted as a five-year plan, updates to the CLWP must be accomplished every five years. The current update will constitute the third generation CLWP, and will guide water protection efforts through 2006. So far, many people have dedicated their time to improve a system that is already doing great things for the area. The CLWP builds on the successes of the last ten years and proposes strategies to bring Beltrami County to the next level in its efforts to effectively manage its water resources. Regular informational CLWP updates will be made as this update is completed, and a 60-day public review will be conducted before submitting it to the Beltrami County Board for adoption.

HIGHLIGHTS: There are a tremendous number of accomplishments credited to the CLWP efforts. Annual surface water testing has gathered water quality information on over 55 lakes and several rivers. Educational programs like the Science Museum of Minnesota bring water protection programs to the 2,000-plus sixth grade students in Beltrami County. Special funding opportunities are pursued that have increased the local success of the CLWP, like the Lake Bemidji Watershed Project - a Clean Water Partnership Project that identified and remedied important water quality-related issues in the watershed. Other successful highlights include a strong water quality protection component in the District's stewardship forestry program, the well-sealing cost-share program, riparian erosion control assistance, urban runoff and stormwater management, and wellhead protection assistance to the City of Bemidji for protecting drinking water.

LAKES AND SHORELINES: Over 55 lakes of the 350 present in Beltrami County have been sampled since 1990. Information gathered on each lake includes temperature and oxygen profiles, secchi disk measurements, and chemical analysis of the total phosphorous and chlorophyll-a levels. These measurements help us determine the condition of the lakes and the information is then used for many purposes such as documenting trends in water quality, seeking new funding to maintain and improve our waters, and providing background information for residents and visitors interested in the lakes.

Shoreline Stewardship has received a great deal of attention this past year. With the completion of a major shoreline renovation along the Bemidji State University campus, new techniques are being developed to assist landowners with their shoreline concerns. High waters still affect many landowners and has prompted many prospective landowners to contact our office. Proper planning and use of the CLWP will assist the County with future decisions and help protect our water quality by encouraging citizens to become better land stewards.

The Turtle River Watershed Association (TRWA) received a Board of Water and Soil Resources Challeng Grant to develop a Lake Management Plan. The Turtle River watershed encompasses over one-third of the Upper Mississippi watershed. Many factors have been identified in the CLWP that could affect the surface water quality in that watershed. Activities from wetland and shoreland development, recreational water use, timber harvesting, urbanization, roads, etc. have been identified as concerns for the watershed.

The purpose of the grant is to develop a Lake Management Plan for the Turtle River Watershed Association. It will create a comprehensive database, consisting of information collected for the 152,000 acre watershed and focuses on lake monitoring, land use, population trends, and watershed assessment for 11 lakes and the Turtle River. The project has gathered data on the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the Turtle River watershed, and collected water quality data on 11 lakes and the Turtle River connecting these lakes. The Turtle River watershed was delineated using GIS mapping software with watercourses, soils and slopes within the watershed identified. Current and projected landuse was identified and mapped. Historic water quality data is being gathered and results interpreted to determine the trophic status of each lake. Physical data collected consists of lake statistics including lake size, contours, structure and measurements of groundwater levels. Biological data includes fish species, historic vegetation surveys, identification of endangered, threatened, or rare species of plants or animals or natural communities. Exotic species are being identified within the watershed.

A Lake Management Plan is being written utilizing all the information gathered from the watershed to protect and enhance each of the Turtle River watershed lakes and the watershed. The plan will identify issues of importance in the watershed including those issues that may be affecting water quality. The plan will also determine what steps may be necessary to maintain the water quality in the Turtle River and each of the 11 lakes within the Association.

Finally, the TRWA is sponsoring a web site that will highlight the goals and objectives of the Association and will provide a central location for all the information gathered and presented because of this grant. To find more information, go to www.trwa.ws or contact the SWCD.

BSU Restoration
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Vegetative removal and traditional high-maintenance landscaping along the Bemidji State University shoreline combined with higher water levels have led to considerable erosion on the shorefront. In 1999, a cooperative project between BSU, the SWCD and the MN Department of Natural Resources began to re-establish 300 feet of shorefront to native plants. Summer 2002, over 500 more feet were added, extending the site from the football field south to the Aquatics Lab.

The primary goal of the project is to prevent further shorefront erosion by coupling native plantings with bioengineering techniques. Another main goal is to demonstrate the benefits of incorporating shoreline naturalization into erosion control. This site provides a natural classroom for visitors to see the "before" and "after" impacts to the BSU shoreline. Increased development pressures on shoreline property and a highly maintained or "well manicured" landscape have enormous potential to degrade water quality and shoreline habitat along lakeshore everywhere. Re-establishing shoreline vegetation is a crucial part of lake and watershed management. Restoration of native vegetation reduces runoff, filters sediments and pollutants from the runoff, and provides valuable wildlife habitat. Using native vegetation helps slow the spread of invasive species and minimizes the necessary site maintenance.

The native plantings at BSU included over 2,000 plants and six pounds of grass seed. The varied species of native grasses include big bluestem, Canada blue joint, and wool grass. The eighteen forb species planted include wild hyssop, asters, wild bergamot and blackeyed susan. Shrub and tree species include black chokeberry, red osier dogwood, sumac, willow, green ash and bur oak.

Beltrami SWCD staff and BSU faculty and students will be closely monitoring progress of the species in the project area. This site makes an excellent demonstration project for anyone interested in shoreline restoration. An informational sign within the first phase of the project promotes native buffers and highlights innovative shoreline stabilization techniques compared to traditional rock rip-rap or other hard surface stabilization. Additional educational signage will be placed in the 2002 project area outlining the project and the numerous project partners.

The Lake Bemidji Watershed Management Project, as a funded, official, project has just about come to an end. The Clean Water Partnership Agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency expired on June 15, 1999. Low interest loans for septic system upgrades were available until 2000.

The LBWMP has been very successful in providing information to watershed residents about non-point source pollution and its effects on the environment as well as Best Management Practices (BMPs) that individuals and communities can use to reduce the impacts of non-point source pollution.

The LBWMP has helped to implement projects including alternative water sources and pasture management for livestock, shoreline protection and erosion control using both structural and non-structural methods, urban runoff water quality treatment and information for landowners and communities that they can use to help protect water quality within the watershed. Along the way, the project received recognition from state, local and national agencies and organizations. This was only possible through the cooperation and dedication of many individuals and organizations with a keen interest in protecting our water resources.

Late this summer, one of the individuals most dedicated to resource protection and the quality of life in the Bemidji area passed away. Rosemary Given Amble was one of the most important members of the LBWMP steering committee and was largely responsible for the outstanding working relationship among the LBWMP, Beltrami SWCD and the City of Bemidji. Rosemary was tireless in fighting the "good fight" for water quality protection and resource protection. She was a driving force within the community and will be missed by all who knew her.

The Beltrami SWCD will continue to look for opportunities to provide information and assistance to watershed residents regarding water quality protection issues. Protecting water quality within the Lake Bemidji watershed has passed beyond the status of a "project" and is part of the everyday activities of many people within the watershed.