Project Information:
This project aimed to treat stormwater in neighborhoods draining to the Rum River which lacked stormwater treatment, but where a previous study has identified and ranked cost-effective stormwater treatment options. Because these these are built-out neighborhoods, large stormwater practices were not an option, but smaller practices like rain gardens were feasible. In 2017-2018 we installed three rain gardens at residential properties in collaboration with the owners.
Cost-effective locations for rain gardens in Anoka and Ramsey were identified in a stormwater retrofit analysis completed in 2016. Property owners for these identified locations were contacted and interested landowners were invited to a landowner meeting to discuss the project in more detail. Through this outreach a number of interested landowners at good locations for stormwater treatment were identified. Each site was evaluated by Anoka Conservation District staff. At several sites, buried utilities limited options or made water treatment projects unfeasible, but three locations were feasible and cost-effective. Those landowners worked with the Anoka Conservation District staff on project design and signed a contract to take a long term ownership and maintenance responsibility.
Three rain gardens were installed, two in 2017 and one in 2018. Locations are shown on the maps below. They included:
807 38th Lane - 714 square foot basin treating 9.3 acre drainage area. Reduces runoff volume by an estimated 1.57 acre-feet, total suspended solids by 643 lbs/yr and total phosphorus by 2.48 lbs/yr.
3900 8th Lane - 721 square foot basin treating 10.5 acre drainage area. Reduces runoff volume by an estimated 1.88 acre-feet, total suspended solids by 775 lbs/yr and total phosphorus by 3.8 lbs/yr.
3460 Rum River Drive - 40 square foot basin treating 1.2 acre drainage area. Reduces total suspended solids by an estimated 467 lbs/yr and total phosphorus by 1.54 lbs/yr. This site had little available space, so a proprietary Focal Point rapid filtration technology was used. The technology uses milk-crate-like void space and special soils to achieve high levels of filtration in a small area.
Major funding for these projects was from a grant to the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization (LRRWMO) from the Metropolitan Council . The Anoka Conservation District provided matching funds for the grant as well as coordination and technical expertise.
Project Pictures:
Malette Rain Garden:
Ryden Rain Garden:
Staton Rain Garden:
Installed Projects:
Materials:
Curb-cut rain garden informational flyer
Presentation from March 27th, 2017 landowner informational meeting
Contact person: Jamie Schurbon 763-434-2030 x12