1. Cedar, Albion, Swartout, Henshaw Improvement Project 06-1
2. Watkins Wetland Treatment System South Upgrade
3. Norton Avenue Sediment Basin
4. Regular Maintenance
5. Education/Media
6. Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Activities
7. Service to Lake Associations
8. Meeker County Ditch 20
9. Water Quality Monitoring
10. Feedlot Assistance

1. Cedar, Albion, Swartout, Henshaw Improvement Project 06-1
During 2007, three fish barriers were installed at designated locations in the Cedar Lake drainage area to restrict movement of rough fish. Five agricultural tile drainage intakes were buffered for a three-year period, 14 acres of alfalfa buffer were established along agricultural drainage ditches, and 132 acres of soybean stubble buffer was left untouched after harvest. Construction began on Segner Ponds, which is the sediment basin and limestone filter component of this water quality improvement project. All of these activities are part of the project authorized in 2006. Water quality monitoring activities were completed and will be reported in early 2008.

2. Watkins Wetland Treatment System South Upgrade
This system was created as part of the 1980 Chain of Lakes Project.
Discussions have begun with landowners regarding the upgrading of this system to meet today’s needs. Draft plans will be available in early 2008.

3. Norton Avenue Sediment Basin
Meetings with residents of Norton Avenue on Lake Augusta resulted in the development of a plan to remedy the sediment deposition and flooding caused by uncontrolled water flow from above Norton Avenue. The first step of the plan, which is a sediment basin, was constructed above 100th Street in late 2007.

4. Regular Maintenance
    A. Regular maintenance inspections were completed and resulted in repairs to the Lake Augusta Erosion Control Structure Riser and clean out of the sediment basin there.
    B. Repairs were also made to the berms at the Kingston wetland site.

5. Education/Media
    A. The 2007 citizenship dinner featured the residents of Clear Lake.
    B. CRWD brochures and fact sheets were distributed at the Annandale Business Expo.
    C. CRWD staff conducted a watershed management education station at the spring and fall Wright County 5th Grade Days at Ney Park.
    D. The CRWD staff participated in the Eden Valley Public School Honors Program, which provides student assistance to community activities.
    E. The CRWD maintains a website.
    F. CRWD managers and staff attend and present information at Pleasant, Cedar, Clearwater, Clear, Bass, and Coalition of Lakes Association meetings, township and city council meetings.
    G. Several newspaper articles were written regarding Project 06-1 and other District activities.

6. Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Activities
Phases I, II, and II Addendum were completed for the reach of the Clearwater River from Clear Lake to Lake Betsy, Lake Louisa, and the reach of the Clearwater River from Grass Lake to the Mississippi. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the CRWD have worked closely together on this effort. Phase III will begin in 2008 after contracts are signed.

7. Service to Lake Associations
The CRWD provided parcel maps and Parcel Identification Data (PID) to the lake associations of Cedar, Pleasant, Augusta, Louisa, Marie, Milpond, and Caroline Lakes.

8. Meeker County Ditch 20
The Meeker County Board of Commissioners delegated the ditch authority for Meeker County Ditch North to the CRWD. This action was taken after the re-determination of benefits and the splitting of County Ditch 20 into north and south sections.

9. Water Quality Monitoring
The CRWD Water Quality Monitoring Program is in its 28th year. The water quality data gathered is the basis for CRWD managers’ decisions regarding water quality improvement. The parameters monitored are phosphorus concentration, Chlorophyll A concentration, and secchi disc readings. Assisting in the secchi disc data gathering are 17 volunteers.
All data is compiled, analyzed annually, and conclusions and recommendations are drawn from the data. This data is also entered into the Storet Database.

10. Feedlot Assistance
Feedlot cost share assistance was provided for two feedlots based on phosphorus reduction entering into surface water in the CRWD.