Big Fish Lake Shoreline Restoration and Bio-Retention

This property on Big Fish Lake has a continuous slope from the road to the lake.  Before the project was constructed, a concrete shoot existed to convey most of the water from the road and property directly into the lake.  In addition, most of the shoreline had little to no buffer.  As part of the project, three separate raingardens were constructed to treat the stormwater runoff from the road and impervious areas on the property. In conjunction with the raingardens being constructed, the landowner took the initiative to restore the entire shoreline on the property except for a small area to allow access to the dock and beach.

Components:

• Native grass planting

• Wildflower planting

• Shrub planting

• Hardwood mulch

• Coconut Erosion Control Blanket

Benefits:

• Sediment reduction

• Wildlife habitat

• Nutrient reduction

• Natural aesthetics

Pollution Reduction Estimates:

• Phosphorus: 0.49 lbs./yr

• Nitrogen: 0.47 lbs./yr

• Sediment: 23.22 lbs./yr

Partners on the project included the landowner, West Central TSA, and Stearns County Environmental Services Department.