CLC News The news and events from Central Lakes College
study on the health of the Little Buffalo Creek. The Natural Resources program at Central
Lakes College partnered with the City, Crow Wing County, Land Mosaic
Collaborative LLC, and Board of Water Soil and Resources to complete the
study. Kent Montgomery, CLC Natural Resources instructor, said: “This partnership was unique
because it integrated our Field Methods and Freshwater class
into the project. Students completed initial land use cover and GIS analysis of
this watershed.”
This
project included an integrative water quality and land use study of the Little
Buffalo Creek Sub-watershed (area of land that drains into the Little Buffalo
Creek). The report describes the study area, methods and models used for the
analysis, descriptions of individual sub-watershed recommended projects to help
clean Little Buffalo Creek, and a cost-benefit analysis of each project based
on pollutant load reduction.
Melissa Barrick, Crow Wing SWCD
District Manager, said: “The study will help the SWCD, City of Brainerd, and Crow Wing
County prioritize projects that will improve the health of Little Buffalo
Creek.”
This partnership will also utilize
this study to leverage competitive Clean Water Legacy funds from BWSR. The SWCD has applied for $329,750 to complete practices recommended in the
study to restore health of the Little Buffalo Creek. An interagency team will
review the application and the BWSR Board is expected to make final appropriations in December.
Beth Hippert, SWCD Technician, said: “We see the
Little Buffalo Creek as a real asset to the area and look forward to working
with the Brainerd community on this innovative approach to stormwater water
management.”
Funds for this project were
provided in part by the Board of Water Soil Resources, Clean Water Legacy
Amendment, and the SWCD.
To receive a copy of the report contact
Melissa Barrick by phone 218-828-6197 or e-mail melissa.barrick@crowwingswcd.org or visit http://www2.co.crow-wing.mn.us/swcd/.
