The quality of shorelines has a direct impact on water quality in our lakes. The District has extensive goals for protecting and restoring shorelines and is developing a comprehensive program to support residents, lake associations, and communities protect their shorelines and their lakes.
Love your lake? Love your shoreline.
Many of Minnesota’s lakes are in trouble. Nearly half of Minnesota’s natural shorelines have already been lost, and natural shoreline continues to vanish at an alarming rate.
Mowed shorelines allow 7 to 9 times more pollutants to enter the lake than a more naturally vegetated shoreline. These pollutants accumulate in lakes, often creating serious water quality problems while also promoting algal blooms.
In addition to removing pollutants, Natural shorelines provide valuable habitat for fish and loons, frogs, butterflies, and more.
Protecting and Restoring
In spring of 2023 the CLFLWD launched its new Comprehensive Shoreline Program. This program provides technical and financial resources to lake shore owners looking to restore and protect their shorelines. These resources are outlined below. Contact Land Management Specialist, Aidan Read for more information (651) 583-6590 or email.
Financial Assistance
WHAT: Up to $500 reimbursement to improve water quality within the watershed, either directly or through targeted education and outreach. Examples include: native plantings, buffer strips, water spout diversions & rain barrels, and turf replacement.
WHO: Residents, homeowner associations, schools, non-profits, and businesses
WHAT: Up to $15,000 per lake basin available to lake associations within the District to improve water quality and ecosystem health and sustainability by a variety of means.
WHO: Non-profit lake associations including Forest Lake Lake Association, Bone Lake Association, and Comfort Lakes Association.
WHAT: A competitive grant offering funding of up to 75% of approved costs for highly ranked projects with a maximum of $7,500. Eligible projects must improve water quality in the watershed district. Examples include: shoreline restorations, wetland restorations, raingardens, and/or labor conducted by an approved contractor.
WHO: Residents, homeowner associations, schools, non-profits, and businesses
WHAT: Landowners who meet the criteria outlined in this program can receive payments of up to $300/yr. Criteria include the presence of high quality natural resources, compliance with all District rules and local ordinances, and shoreline or streambank buffers where applicable. Contact the District for the full criteria list.
WHO: Residential land owners
Technical Assistance
District staff can provide assistance in identifying and dealing with resource concerns such as shoreline erosion, localized flooding, and invasive species.
Residential soil testing, interpretation of results, and management recommendations are available upon request. Cropland and pastureland are not eligible for this service.
A full size Extractigator (i.e. weed wrench or buckthorn puller) can be checked out on a reservation basis. This tool can be used to remove woody vegetation that is too difficult to be removed by hand. A refundable $150 deposit is required.
Eligible projects can receive free design work and support from Watershed and Conservation District Staff. Services available include development of shoreline and buffer restoration plans, raingarden and pollinator garden plans, review of contractor estimates, and assistance navigating state and local permitting requirements.
Interested in these programs? Contact Land Management Specialist, Aidan Read.
(651) 583-6590 | email
Learn More About Native Plants and Shoreline Restorations
Cleaner Water Has Arrived
Revegetating Moody Lake
Model Shorelines
Shoreline Restoration Photos
