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Enivommental Board <br />November 18, 2015 <br />Page 2 <br />6. DISCUSSION ITEMS <br />A. Stream Restoration in Hardwood Creek to Address Biotic Impairment and <br />Peltier Lake TMDL Update, Matt Kocian, Rice Creek Watershed District <br />Biologist <br />Mr. Matt Kocian presented a power point presentation on the restoration efforts and <br />the present condition of Hardwood Creek. This creek flows through Forest Lake, <br />Hugo and Lino Lakes where it empties into Peltier Lake. ag�e��i <br />Hardwood Creek is listed as impaired for dissolved oxygen and <br />where both of the above mentioned fell below state standards. <br />iological integrity <br />Restoration projects were to restore meanders to channelized reach, stabilize the <br />streambanks, mitigate impacts from livestock, and add riparian buffers. <br />By working on the meandering pattern of the creek and making the streambanks more <br />stable the stream power increased, the stream has widen and is clearer. <br />And by working with the farmers and introducing ways to slow down the mitigate <br />impacts from livestock and erosion control the creek has started to improve. <br />Rice Creek Watershed has been supporting a volunteer biological monitoring <br />program (SHEP- Stream Health Evaluation Program) since 2006. SHEP has been <br />monitoring invertebrates on Hardwood Creek. <br />So it appears that with the restoration of Hardwood Creek we are making good <br />progress and meeting the TMDL pollution reduction goals and having positive <br />changes in biota (invertebrates). <br />Mr. Kocian mentioned that Peltier Lake Drawdown is still being discussed. The <br />reason for the drawdown is to reduce the phosphorus to meet state standards. <br />Approximately 62% of the total phosphorus load is internal. <br />There were four different ways to help reduce the internal phosphorus but drawdown <br />has more positive effects that are probable and comparatively affordable. <br />Mr. Kocian stated what the options are and could start in fall after Labor Day and <br />complete before freeze up. Maintain lower water level from freeze up through the <br />end of June. Cost is the big draw for doing just a drawdown with no pumping. <br />Drawdown is done in the winter because it freezes the plants and muck and increases <br />the native plant life. It also packs down the sediments. <br />Ms. Kaufenberg asked is a drawdown something that could be done every year. <br />APPROVED MINUTES <br />