2 Stop the Rain Drain update

3 Upcoming projects

3 Como Lake: Past, Present, and Future presentation

BACK 2013 Partner Grants

INSIDE

News from Capitol Region Watershed District Winter 2013

Improvements to the Como Golf Course Pond began in fall 2012 and

will be complete by early summer 2013. The pond is located south of Hoyt Avenue West and east of North Chelsea Street within the City of Saint Paul’s Como Golf Course. The pond, finished in late 2007, is adjacent to the 3rd and 11th fairways and was a part of the Arlington Pascal Stormwater Improvement Project. It is located at a natural low point in the golf course and was designed to capture stormwater to minimize flooding in the surrounding neighborhoods. It also allows pollutants to settle before the stormwater flows to Como Lake.

Due to an increased frequency of larger rainfall events, lack of vegetation around the pond, and poor soil condi-tions, the pond had suffered from bank

erosion, and turf loss was a problem on the adjacent fairway.

In 2012, CRWD proposed improvements to address these issues. Drainage improvements are being made to the fairway, the size of the pond will be increased, the pond edge regraded, and a continuous native shoreline buffer installed. These improve-ments will enable the treatment of a larger volume of runoff, stabilize the shoreline, deter nuisance wildlife, and improve the quality of stormwater before it flows into Como Lake. So, watch for the new and improved Como Golf Course Pond — construction of the area is complete and replanting of the shoreline will take place this spring.

Como Golf Course Pond Improvement Projectby Lindsay VanPatten

Our mission is to protect, manage and improve the water resources of the Capitol Region Watershed District.

Capitol Region Watershed District 1410 Energy Park Drive, Suite 4 • St. Paul, MN 55108 • 651-644-8888 • www.capitolregionwd.org

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Como Golf Course construction

Capitol Region

Watershed District

1410 Energy Park Drive Ste 4

St. Paul, MN 55108

651-644-8888

capitolregionwd.org

Board of Managers: Joe Collins, President; Mike Thienes, Treasurer; Seitu Jones, Secretary; Mary Texer, Vice President Shirley Reider

Staff: Mark Doneux, AdministratorMelissa Baker, Water Resource Technician Elizabeth Beckman, Education & OutreachDavid Depaz, Seasonal Water Resource

TechnicianAnna Eleria, Water Resource SpecialistBob Fossum, Water Resource Project

ManagerForrest Kelley, Permit CoordinatorCorey Pohland, Seasonal Water

Resource Technician Joe Sellner, Seasonal Water

Resource TechnicianBritta Suppes, Water Resource TechnicianLindsay VanPatten, Education Assistant

and Receptionist

CRWD residents do their part to keep our lakes

and rivers clean. Since 2010, 133 homeowners

have responded to CRWD’s call to redirect their

downspouts!

Redirecting rainwater that runs down polluted

alleys and streets to lawn and garden areas allows

it to soak into the ground. This decreases pollution

reaching the Mississippi River and may also decrease

the need to water plants or gardens.

In addition to helping clean water, Stop the Rain Drain has increased homeowner awareness of clean

water issues and the role of CRWD in protecting our

water resources. This spring, when snow is melting, take a look down your street or

alley and notice where the water is going and what it might be carrying with it on

its way to our lakes and rivers.

Stop the Rain Drain 2012 updateby Lindsay VanPatten

Completed gutter redirection

Established in 1998, CRWD

covers 40 square miles and

includes portions

of the cities of Falcon Heights,

Lauderdale, Maplewood,

Roseville and St. Paul.

Located within Ramsey

County, it has a population of

225,000 people. The district

drains to The Mississippi

River, also its primary water

resource. Como Lake, Crosby

Lake, Loeb Lake and Lake

McCarrons are also located in

the District.

2 Capitol Region Watershed District Winter 2013

Downspout draining to greenspace

Sample doorhanger

Be part of the solution; these small

changes can have large impacts. To

learn more about CRWD and how you

can help protect and improve our water

resources please visit our website at

capitolregionwd.org.

The Villa Park Wetlands next to

Roseville’s Lake McCarrons will

be restored this summer by removing

decades-worth of sediment. The

project will result in higher quality

wetland habitat and improved

treatment of stormwater runoff on

its way to Lake McCarrons. CRWD

has also received $275,000 from the

MN Clean Water Fund for a project to

determine the best locations for clean

water projects to reduce pollution

in stormwater draining to Villa Park

Wetland.

Work on Saint Paul’s new Trillium Nature Sanctuary will begin this

summer with the construction of

clean water features including ponds,

wetlands and a 3,000-ft stream

channel. The sanctuary is a 42-acre

site located west of 35E between

Maryland Avenue and Cuyuga Street.

In Saint Paul’s Highland neigh-

borhood, the Highland Ravine has

been subject to serious soil erosion

problems for years. During large

rainfalls, enormous amounts of

stormwater carrying sediment and

woody debris flow down the ravine’s

steep slopes and into the Mississippi

River via the city’s storm drain system.

With a grant from the MN Clean

Water Fund, CRWD will stabilize the

ravine and restore woodland areas

to help solve erosion problems. The

project will begin this spring and be

completed in 2014.

The use of Curtiss Field in Falcon

Heights is often impacted by the

frequent flooding of Curtiss Pond.

CRWD will work with the City of

Falcon Heights to improve the

function of the pond and reduce

flooding to the park and neigh-

borhood.

CRWD plans exciting projects for 2013

Winter 2013 Capitol Region Watershed District 3

by Elizabeth Beckman

Stabilizing the Highland Ravine and restoring woodland areas will help solve erosion problems.

Improving the function of Curtiss Pond will

reduce flooding to the park and neighborhood.

For more information visit www.district10comopark.org

FREE EVENT! Como Community Sunday Series

Como Lake: Past, Present,

and FutureFebruary 17, 2-3:30 p.m.North Dale Recreation Center

1414 St. Albans Street, Saint Paul

1410 Energy Park Drive, Suite 4

St. Paul, MN 55108

651-644-8888

651-644-8894 fax

www.capitolregionwd.org

CRWD 2013 Partner Grants

Now accepting grant applications for clean water projects ranging from $2,000 to $20,000.

Cleaner lakes and rivers depend on more citizen participation, so CRWD offers grants to help organi-zations and institutions who work with citizens to prevent water pollution. Examples of eligible clean water projects include education or organizing projects, events, rain gardens, or pervious pavement.

Visit the Grants page at capitolregionwd.org for an application and a list of past grantees.

Applications are due February 15

Como Lake Neighbor Network Leaf Clean-up Event