Anna Eleria to Become CRWD’s Next Administrator

At their Wednesday, March 20, meeting the Board unanimously voted to appoint Anna Eleria as CRWD’s next Administrator, effective May 18, 2024. Earlier this year, Administrator Mark Doneux announced his upcoming retirement after 21 years of service with CRWD.

Eleria has been with CRWD since 2007 and has successfully served as Deputy Administrator and Administration Division manager since 2022. Before serving as Deputy Administrator, she managed the Planning, Projects, and Grants Division for six years. During her 15 years with CRWD, Eleria managed the multi-year Trout Brook Interceptor Capital Improvement Projects, Allianz Field stormwater reuse system, Green Line stormwater infrastructure, Seminary Pond improvements, and other CRWD projects. She also served as the Senior Project Manager for CRWD’s 2021-2030 Watershed Management Plan.

Look for more information about Eleria’s tenure and details about CRWD’s leadership transition in the coming months.

Above photo of Anna Eleria by Ackerman + Gruber. 

15 Years of Maintenance on Hidden Infrastructure

Hidden under city streets, the Trout Brook Storm Sewer Interceptor is a vital system that carries rainwater to the Mississippi River from 8,000 acres of land in Saint Paul, Roseville, Falcon Heights, and Maplewood.

CRWD took over ownership of the Trout Brook Storm Sewer Interceptor in 2006 and developed a 15-year Capital Improvement Plan for the six-mile-long tunnel. Earlier this month, contractors completed the final repair project identified in the plan.

Follow along on our project tour in the link below, which involved a crane lowering people below the street in a basket and some important guests!

Above photo by Ackerman + Gruber: Saint Paul City Council members Hwa Jeong Kim, Ward 5 (left), and Cheniqua Johnson, Ward 7 (right), toured TBI. 

CRWD’s New Facility Management Division

Over the past 25 years, CRWD has helped to construct stormwater infrastructure and over 2,435 Best Management Practices (BMPs) on land throughout the District with many public partners. CRWD heard from public partners regarding the difficulty tracking, inspecting, planning, funding, and managing maintenance needs for their stormwater BMPs. Improving the management of these constructed facilities will lead to better water quality, flood control, and longer-lasting infrastructure.

In December 2023, the Board of Managers voted to approve the creation of the Facility Management Division and appoint Forrest Kelley as division manager. The Facility Management Program and Division will improve the function and performance of stormwater infrastructure through collaboration with our public partners on the operation and maintenance of small-scale and regional stormwater Best Management Practices.

Find more information about the Facility Management Division in the link below.

Photo: CRWD coordinated filter replacement at Parkview Center School Clean Water Project.

Como Lake Aquatic Plant Management

Following efforts by CRWD and its partners, the native aquatic plant community in Como Lake is beginning to return following the dominance of an invasive aquatic plant called curly-leaf pondweed. Before control efforts began in 2020, curly-leaf pondweed had come to dominate 90% of the plant community in Como Lake. The population was greatly reduced after herbicide treatments in 2020 and 2021. However, the curly-leaf pondweed population rebounded in the lake in 2023, signaling the need for management in 2024.

Today, Thursday, March 21, the herbicide Fluridone was applied to Como Lake to target curly-leaf pondweed. Fluridone stops plants from making chlorophyll, so they are unable to photosynthesize.

Fluridone only affects plants that are already growing at the time of treatment, so the critically important native aquatic plants that start their growing season in late May will not be impacted. At low concentrations, fluridone has no contact restrictions and is safe for humans, pets, or wildlife. The water does not need to be avoided during treatment.

Learn more about Como Lake’s aquatic plants in the link below.

Above photo: Curly-leaf pondweed growing in Como Lake on March 11, 2024. 

Saint Paul Citywide Spring Cleanup

Saturday, April 20 at 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Celebrate Earth Day at the 38th annual Citywide Spring Cleanup! Join CRWD, Lexington-Hamline Community Council, and Friends of Midway Peace Park in helping to clean up our beloved Midway Peace Park.

This is an opportunity to join forces with your neighbors to clean up the litter that has accumulated in our parks and neighborhood streets throughout the winter months.

The Citywide Spring Cleanup is hosted by Saint Paul Parks & Recreation, Saint Paul Public Works, and local organizations. This is a rain-or-shine event. Visit the link below for more details and a list of cleanup kickoff locations and hosts. 

CRWD Meetings and Events

Community Events