Pioneer-Sarah Creek Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS)

Notice of Availability and Request for Comment on Draft Pioneer-Sarah Creek Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS) and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Reports is open for formal public comment through May 31, 2017. For more information, visit the MPCA Public Notices webpage.

Background

The Pioneer-Sarah Creek watershed is located in the northwestern Twin Cities metropolitan area. The watershed encompasses approximately 44,800 acres and includes 19 lakes, 5 streams, and numerous wetlands. Land use in the watershed is mixed, but predominately undeveloped and agricultural. A summary of the remaining impairments in the watershed included in this project are below.

Nutrient impairments: North and South Whaletail Lake, and Spurzem Lake are currently on Minnesota’s impaired water’s list for excess nutrients. Ardmore Lake, Half Moon Lake, and Peter Lake are expected to be listed in 2016 for excess nutrients. Excess nutrients, like phosphorus, can stimulate the growth of nuisance algal blooms in the summer which restrict recreational activities.

Bacteria impairments: Sarah Creek was added to the impaired waters list in 2012 for exceeding the state’s Escherichia coli (E. coli) water quality standard. Deer Creek, Pioneer Creek, and Unnamed Creek (Mud Lake to Rice Creek) are expected to be listed in 2016 for exceeding the state’s E. coli standard. E. coli is used to indicate the potential presence of waterborne pathogens that can be harmful to human health. E. coli comes from human, pet, and wildlife waste.

Dissolved oxygen: Pioneer Creek, Unnamed Creek (Mud Lake to Rice Lake), and Deer Creek are currently exceeding the state’s standard for dissolved oxygen, and are expected to be placed on the impaired water’s list in 2016.



Watershed TMDL approach

The goal of this project is to develop a watershed-wide, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study and a Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) report that will address multiple water quality impairments throughout the Pioneer-Sarah Creek watershed. The project will also include strategies for protecting lakes in the watershed that are currently meeting state water quality standards. Protection strategies will be developed for Little Long Lake and Lake Rebecca.

This TMDL/WRAPS project is a joint effort between the Pioneer-Sarah Creek Watershed Management Commission, Three Rivers Park District, local communities, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and other state, local, and federal agencies. The goals of this project are to identify the sources of impairments, quantify pollutant reductions needed to meet Minnesota’s water quality standards, and develop strategies for restoration and protection for streams and lakes in the Pioneer-Sarah Creek watershed.



Project Status

​The Pioneer Sarah Creek WRAPS project began in January 2013 and will continue through June 2017. The project is broken into two phases. Phase 1 extended from January 2013 through June 30, 2015, while Phase 2 was initiated on July 8, 2015 and will continue through June 30, 2017. An interim project report on the status of Phase 1 was completed in July 2015 and summarizes the status of the project through June 30, 2015. As part of Phase 2, TMDLs for the lake and stream impairments will be completed, draft TMDL and WRAPS reports will be prepared and distributed for public/agency review and comment, and final reports will be prepared for final agency approval. Draft and final reports will be posted on this web site and the MPCA project website as they are ready to facilitate public input on preliminary findings and to enhance public knowledge of the project.

Presentations given during this project are below: