The Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) was established by the Board of Water & Soil Resources (BWSR) on September 23, 1999 in response to a citizen petition filed in November of 1998.
District Establishment
Seventy-four residents within the proposed boundary for the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed (CLFLWD) petitioned the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) to establish the CLFLWD on November 18, 1998. Petitioners included various residents of the District including agricultural landowners and lakeshore landowners. The petition was also supported by the communities and county boards. A public hearing concerning the establishment of the CLFLWD was subsequently held on June 21, 1999 at the Forest Lake City Hall Council Chambers. The CLFLWD was formed by order of the BWSR on September 23, 1999.
Human Impacts
For thousands of years prior to European settlement, Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District lakes and streams generally had good water quality. Native American tribes, such as the Dakota, stewarded the land in a sustainable way, preserving water quality, water storage features, and ecological integrity. However, between the mid-19th century and early 21st century, water quality declined due to European settlement and farming practices.
In recent years, water quality has begun to return to its historic, pre-settlement levels. Today, the District uses modern science and up-to-date technology to steward the land and preserve water resources in a way that is sustainable for the long-term.
