School Lake Agricultural Practices
Project Description & Outcomes
This project will implement cover crops and livestock waste management practices on a farm/feedlot in southern Chisago County. Practices include: cover crops, roof runoff management, clean water diversion, waste management system, and vegetated treatment area. The proposed project is estimated to reduce approximately 61 lb/yr of watershed phosphorus loading to School Lake, which discharges through a stream to Little Comfort Lake. The Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) performed diagnostic monitoring to target this phosphorus loading hotspot which includes a cattle feedlot at the headwaters of this tributary. This project is estimated to achieve 29% of the 211 lb/yr watershed phosphorus load reduction goal for School Lake.
Project Status
In-Progress
Project Outcomes
61 lb/yr phosphorus removal, cover crops on 60 acres of cropland, saving 88.8 tons of soil per year at edge-of-field and achieving 184 lbs/yr of nitrogen removal
Financials
Clean Water Fund Grant: $90,000
CLFLWD Grant Match: $10,000
Total Project Budget : $100,000
Lifecycle cost:
$200 per pound of phosphorus removed
Timeline
2024-2026: Project design and implementation in partnership with landowner