Apex Pond in the City of Fridley was enhanced in 2023 to improve water quality in both Springbrook Creek (County Ditch #17) and the Mississippi River. Originally constructed in 1999 with a ponding depth of 1-foot to slow the rate of runoff entering Springbrook Creek, the enhanced pond is ~6-feet deep and provides water quality treatment for nearly 90 acres of residential neighborhoods. The increased ponding depth enables sediment and nutrients to settle and accumulate in the pond. Runoff enters the pond via three inlets and a single outlet serves as the connection to Springbrook Creek. 

Total annual reductions to Springbrook and the Mississippi River include 16.80 lbs-TP/yr and 6,617 lbs-TSS/yr. The City of Fridley funded pond maintenance, and a combination of Watershed Based Implementation Funds from the Board of Water and Soil Resources, a Coon Creek Watershed District Water Quality Cost-Share Program grant, and the City of Fridley funded the pond enhancement. For more information contact Mitch Haustein, Stormwater & Shoreland Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ACD recently completed two stormwater retrofit analyses (SRAs) for the Mississippi and Rum Rivers. The reports identify and rank potential water quality improvement projects in areas not covered in previous SRAs. The reports will be available on ACD's website and provide a tool for natural resource managers when considering the implementation of projects to improve water quality in the Mississippi and Rum Rivers. A brief summary of each report is included below.

MISSISSIPPI REPORT

The 803-acre study area spanning the Cities of Anoka and Coon Rapids was divided into 21 catchments over two distinct areas west and east of the confluence with the Rum River (see map below). Each catchment includes a dedicated outfall to the Mississippi River. Nine catchments were identified upstream (west) of the Rum River (MW catchments), and 12 catchments were identified downstream (east) of the Rum River (ME catchments).

Lakes provide habitat for wildlife, recreation opportunities, and natural beauty. Yet, our everyday landscaping choices can negatively impact these vital bodies of water.
Lake-friendly landscaping provides many benefits, and purposeful design can ensure you don't need to compromise access to the water or lakeside recreation opportunities.

What Is Lake-Friendly Landscaping?
Lake-friendly landscaping focuses on reducing pollution and preserving the health of our lakes. It involves making mindful choices in how we design and maintain our outdoor spaces to minimize runoff, limit chemical use, and support natural habitats.

Top Tips for Lake-Friendly Landscaping
1. Minimize Lawn Area: Lawns often need a lot of water and fertilizer, which can lead to nutrient-laden runoff. Reducing lawn space and incorporating groundcovers or mulched areas can help decrease runoff and save time on maintenance.

2. Install a Native Plant Buffer: Native plants are adapted to our local environment, requiring less water, fertilizers, and pesticides. A buffer of native grasses, flowers, shrubs, and trees can serve as a natural filter, trapping pollutants and preventing them from reaching the water. Native plant root systems also help reduce soil erosion, both along the shoreline and upslope, preventing excess nutrients from washing into lakes. If you prefer a more formal garden appearance, cluster plants of the same species throughout the area to create a planned look. Frame your lake view by planting taller species along the property boundaries and shorter species toward the center. 

3. Manage Stormwater Runoff: Be intentional about where runoff from your property is routed. Directing runoff to rain gardens, permeable areas, or rain barrels will reduce the volume of runoff carrying pollutants directly to the lake.

4. Educate and Involve the Community: Spread the good news; share these practices with neighbors and participate in local conservation efforts. Community-wide adoption of lake-friendly landscaping can have a significant positive impact.

To learn more about lake friendly landscaping contact Mitch Haustein, Stormwater & Shoreland Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Approximately 1,500 feet of severely eroding riverbank in the City of Anoka's Mississippi River Community Park was stabilized in late 2021. The project included tree clearing, bank reshaping, riprap, erosion control blanket, seeding, and planting a variety of native plant species. Since installation, the site has been subjected to multiple years of high water levels. Both the riprap on the lower elevations of the bank and the vegetation on the upper elevations have successfully stabilized the site. 

ACD staff recently boated the Rum River to review potential riverbank stabilization and in-stream habitat sites, which provided an opportunity to assess a few previously installed stabilization projects. Each site was stabilized with hard armoring at the bottom of the slope (where vegetation will not grow due to frequent water level fluctuation) and native vegetation on the upper banks. The sites have remained stable, and vegetation has established to provide riparian habitat value within the Rum River Corridor.

 For more information contact Mitch Haustein, Shoreline and Stormwater Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..