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Villa Park Project Protects Lake McCarrons 


Rainwater from nearly 250 acres of land in Roseville drains through Upper Villa Park and eventually flows into Lake McCarrons.  McCarrons is one of the highest quality lakes in the Metro area and is used by many residents for recreation.  A recent downward trend in lake health led the District to study the area further and identify the following project to protect this valuable community resource.
 
Capitol Region Watershed District worked in partnership with the City of Roseville to build a system that collects, filters and reuses rainwater for irrigation of the softball field at Upper Villa Park behind the B-Dale Club.  The system consists of two underground features including a cistern to collect rainwater for use at the ballfield and a series of 10-foot pipes, with thousands of holes in them, that collect water and allow it to soak back into the ground.  As water moves through the soil – it is cleaned – removing pollutants that would have otherwise traveled through neighborhood storm drains into the Villa Park wetlands, and to Lake McCarrons.

An emerging technology called Optimized Real Time Controls (OptiRTC) was installed to maximize the project’s effectiveness.  OptiRTC uses weather forecasting from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to prepare for storms by opening a valve in the cistern and allowing the water to flow into the perforated pipes.  This automated process creates space to capture and clean more rainwater.

The system is expected to prevent 50 pounds of phosphorous from flowing into Lake McCarrons each year.  Phosphorous is a nutrient that supports algal growth.  Too much phosphorous leads to algae blooms, often giving lakes a green soupy appearance during summer months.  The system will also save up to 1.3 million gallons of drinking water by reusing rainwater for irrigation.  This is an equally important benefit as discussions continue about how best to manage groundwater, the primary source of drinking water for most Minnesotans.
 
This project was funded by a $275,000 Clean Water Partnership grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; $360,000 Clean Water Fund grant from the Board of Water and Soil Resources; CRWD and the City of Roseville.

Restoring Willow Reserve in the North End


Capitol Region Watershed District has been working closely with the City of Saint Paul, District 6 Planning Council and Ward 5 Councilmember Amy Brendmoen to complete a three-year restoration plan for Willow Reserve.  This project will benefit residents and urban wildlife as well as protect one of the District’s last remaining wetlands.
 
Restoration activities may begin as early as the fall of 2016.  The most noticeable changes will include invasive plant and tree removal to make room for native species.  Native plants provide a better source of food and shelter for wildlife such as birds and pollinating insects.  Areas such as Willow Reserve are vital in urban settings where food and shelter for migratory birds is scarce.
 
The City of Saint Paul produced a beautiful short film about restoring Willow Reserve.  It is the next best thing to visiting the reserve in person.  Enjoy!
A special thank you to Nick Nelson, Video Production Technician, with the City of Saint Paul for working with staff and partners to create this excellent resource.

Grant Opportunities, Awards & Events


Copyright © 2016 Capitol Region Watershed District, All rights reserved.

Capitol Region Watershed District
595 Aldine Street
Saint Paul, MN 55104

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