06-09-2004 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Gervais Lake Association, March 31, 2004 Page 4 almost every year. Due to this, groundwater levels are higher, and the ground has often been very saturated during large storm events. This results in higher bounce in lake levels in fairly routine, larger storm events. Historically, the lake always does bounce roughly 2 inches for every inch of rain due to the large watershed area. Therefore, considering the 3 to 6 inch rainfalls we have had with some regularity in the last several years, reaching the 860.0 elevation is not that unusual when these storms are compounded on top of each other within a short period of time. The stotuiwater drainage system and the flood control system that has been installed by the District is working perfectly. The outlets from Lake Phalen and the new channel structure between Keller and Phalen have alleviated high water situations and reduced the flood level for the chain of lakes. The watershed is approximately 95 percent fully developed. Due to this fully- developed nature of the watershed, the characteristics of runoff and water management will not change substantially with new developments or redevelopment within the watershed. The District's primary concern at this point for the entire Phalen chain of lakes is water quality. We have a major challenge to maintain or improve water quality due to the non -point source nature of much of the current runoff. Our recently - completed Phalen chain of lakes Strategic Lake Management Plan points out that the lakes have been maintaining fairly good water quality and have actually improved to a small degree over the last 20 years. However, substantially more improvement would be difficult to achieve without intensive control of non -point source pollution runoff. This requires intensive land management practices and street maintenance procedures. We will be holding several meetings within the next six months with area residents, and possibly conducting surveys, to get a better understanding of what is desired by the public and what are appropriate techniques to pursue. Your participation in these efforts would be very much appreciated. As I have offered previously, I would welcome the opportunity to attend a GLA meeting, explain our recent study efforts, and entertain questions from the membership regarding the watershed and the lake itself. Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your concerns, and if you have additional questions, please feel free to call or write again. Sincerely, Clifton J. Aichinger Administrator c: Victoria Reinhardt, Ramsey County Commissioner Jan Wiessner, Ramsey County Commissioner Terry Noonan, Ramsey County Public Works Joel Hanson, City of Little Canada Richard Fursman, City of Maplewood RWMWD Board of Managers - 2 1 -