PermittingStaffMeetingsOther ResourcesBest Management Practices GuidebookAnnual Reports
 Lake LevelsWater Quality DataGroundwater LevelsPrecipitation Data2005 - 2015 Plan

2005 - 2015 Watershed Management Plan

2011 Valley Branch Draft Plan Amendment

Valley Branch Watershed District 2005-2015 Plan

Table of Contents

Section 1 | Section 2 | Section 3 | Section 4 | Section 5 | Section 6 | Section 7 | Section 8
Complete Table of Contents in .PDF format
Credits page
1.0 Executive Summary
  1.1 Introductory Information
  1.2 Watershed District Purposes  
    1.2.1 General Watershed District Purposes  
    1.2.2 Historical VBWD Purposes  
    1.2.3 VBWD Purposes: 2003 Vision and Mission  
  1.3  VBWD Plan Organization and Summary of VBWD Plan Highlights and Initiatives
   

Section 1.0 Executive Summary
Section 2.0 Introduction: VBWD Purposes, Vision & Mission, Location, and History
Section 3.0 Watershed Description, Land and Water Resource Data and Inventory
Section 4.0 Overall Issues, Goals, and Policies
Section 5.0 Individual Watershed Management Plans
Section 6.0 VBWD Plan Review, Update and Revision
Section 7.0 Implementation Program
Section 8.0 Local Watershed Management Plans
         
2.0 Introduction: VBWD Purposes, Vision & Mission, Location, and History
  2.1 General Purposes and Requirements of Watershed Districts  
  2.2 VBWD Vision and Mission  
  2.3 Board of Managers  
  2.4 General VBWD Boundaries  
  2.5 VBWD History  
 

Tables

    
  Table 2-1 VBWD Managers and Terms of Office  
  Table 2-2 VBWD Managers, Officer Position, and Terms of Office  
  Figures    
  Figure 2-1 Location and Communities  
         
3.0 Watershed Description, Land and Water Resource Data and Inventory
  3.1 Watersheds and Watershed Processes  
    3.1.1 Description  
    3.1.2 Subwatershed Units  
    3.1.3  Hydrologic Cycle  
    3.1.4 Precipitation  
    3.1.5 Land Cover  
      3.1.5.1 Community Comprehensive Plans & Zoning  
      3.1.5.2 Sanitary Sewer  
    3.1.6 Soils Data  
    3.1.7 Topographic Data  
    3.1.8 Geology Data  
      3.1.8.1 General Geology  
      3.1.8.2 Bedrock Geology  
      3.1.8.3 Surficial Geology and Terrain  
    3.1.9 Surficial and Bedrock Aquifers  
    3.1.10 Groundwater-Surface Water Connections  
  3.2 Other Land and Water Resource Inventory Data  
    3.2.1 Water-Based Recreation Areas and Land Ownership  
    3.2.2 Surface Water Resource Data  
      3.2.2.1 Wetland and Mosquito Breeding Sites Inventory Maps  
      3.2.2.2 Public Waters, Ditch Systems, and Dam Maps  
      3.2.2.3 Hydrologic Characteristics  
      3.2.2.4 Stormwater Systems  
      3.2.2.5 Flood Information  
      3.2.2.6 Summary of Data  
      3.2.2.7 Shoreland Ordinances  
      3.2.2.7 Water Appropriations  
    3.2.3 Groundwater Resource Data  
    3.2.4 Fish and Wildlife Habitat  
      3.2.4.1 DNR Fisheries Information  
      3.2.4.2 Management Plans  
    3.2.5 Unique Features and Scenic Areas  
    3.2.6 Pollutant Sources  
 

Tables

    
  Table 3-1 Drainage Areas  
  Table 3-2 Summary of Comprehensive Plans  
  Table 3-3 Public Boat Accesses, Swimming Beaches, and Public Lands Surrounding Water Bodies
  Table 3-4 100-Year Floodplains of DNR-Protected Basins and Apparent Low Homes
  Table 3-5 Flood Insurance Studies
  Table 3-6 Water Bodies Infested with Purple Loosestrife and Curlyleaf Pondweed and Recommendations for Curlyleaf Pondweed Management
  Table 3-7 Shoreland Management Ordinances
  Table 3-8 DNR Ecological and Management Classifications
  Figures    
  Figure 3-1 VBWD Flood Control Projects and Watershed Boundaries  
  Figure 3-2 VBWD Major and Minor Subwatersheds  
  Figure 3-3 Current and Future Land Use  
  Figure 3-4 VBWD Soils Permeability  
  Figure 3-5 VBWD Soils Infiltration Capacity  
  Figure 3-6 VBWD Total Infiltration Capacity  
  Figure 3-7 VBWD Soil Moisture Contamination Potential  
  Figure 3-8 VBWD Topography and Steep Slopes  
  Figure 3-9 VBWD Surficial Geology  
  Figure 3-10 VBWD Public Areas  
  Figure 3-11 Dams  
  Figure 3-12 Most Recent Summer Average Water Clarity, Major Water Bodies  
  Figure 3-13 VBWD Monitoring Wells  
  Figure 3-14.1–  3-14.24 – Water Levels at VBWD Wells #1 through #24  
  Figure 3-15 National Heritage Database Information  
         
4.0 Overall Issues, Goals and Policies
  4.1 Public Involvement and Public Information  
    4.1.1 Importance  
    4.1.2 General Issues  
    4.1.3 Mission  
    4.1.4 Policies to Accomplish Mission  
    4.1.5 Background and History Related to Public Involvement and Public Information
    4.1.6 Identified Public Involvement and Public Information Issues  
    4.1.7 Policy Details, Strategies, and Actions Related to Public Involvement and Public Information
  4.2 Surface Water Quality  
    4.2.1 Importance  
    4.2.2 General Issues  
    4.2.3 Mission  
    4.2.4 Policies to Accomplish Mission  
    4.2.5 History Related to Surface Water Quality  
    4.2.6 Identified Surface Water Quality Issues  
    4.2.7 Policy Details, Strategies, and Actions Related to Surface Water Quality  
    Tables    
    Table 4.2-1 VBWD Water Body Classifications  
    Table 4.2-2 Water Quality Rankings and Water Quality Guidelines for VBWD Water Bodies
    Table 4.2-3 Water Quality Monitoring Guidelines for Lakes, Wetlands, and Stormwater Ponds
    Table 4.2-4 Minimum Recommended Water Quality Monitoring Program for 2005-2015
    Table 4.2-5 Water Quality Action Triggers
    Table 4.2-6 Recommended Water Quality Management Actions for High and Medium Priority Water Bodies
Table 4.2-7 Possible/Proposed Water Quality Treatment Strategies
    Appendices    
    Appendix A-4.2 Water Quality Background Information  
      Tables
      Table A-4.2-1  Macrophytes Found in VBWD Lakes  
    Appendix B-4.2 VBWD Habitat Monitoring Methods  
    Appendix C-4.2 VBWD Management Classifications  
      Tables
      Table C-4.2-1  Water Body (Non-Stormwater Ponds) Classification Determinations
  4.3 Stream Management and Restoration  
    4.3.1 Importance  
    4.3.2 General Issues  
    4.3.3 Mission  
    4.3.4 Policies to Accomplish Mission  
    4.3.5 Background and History Related to Stream Management and Restoration  
    4.3.6 Identified Stream Management and Restoration Issues  
    4.3.7 Policy Details, Strategies, and Actions Related to Stream Management and
Restoration Issues
  4.4 Stormwater Runoff Management  
    4.4.1 Importance  
    4.4.2 General Issues  
    4.4.3 Mission  
    4.4.4 Policies to Accomplish Mission  
    4.4.5 History Related to Stormwater Runoff Management  
    4.4.6 Identified Stormwater Runoff Management Issues  
    4.4.7 Policy Details, Strategies, and Actions Related to Stormwater Runoff Management
    Tables    
    Table 4.4-1 Principal Pollutants in Stormwater Runoff  
    Appendicies    
    Appendix A-4.4 VBWD’s Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan  
    Appendix B-4.4 VBWD Rules and Regulations  
  4.5 Water Level and Floodplain Management  
    4.5.1 Importance  
    4.5.2 General Issues  
    4.5.3 Mission  
    4.5.4 Policies to Accomplish Mission  
    4.5.5 History Related to Water Level and Floodplain Management  
    4.5.6 Identified Water Level and Floodplain Management Issues  
    4.5.7 Policy Details, Strategies and Actions Related to Water Level and Floodplain Management
  4.6 Groundwater Management  
    4.6.1 Importance  
    4.6.2 General Issues  
    4.6.3 Mission  
    4.6.4 Policies to Accomplish Mission  
    4.6.5 Background and History Related to Groundwater Management  
    4.6.6 Identified Groundwater Management Issues  
    4.6.7 Policy Details, Strategies, and Actions Related to Groundwater Management Issues
    Figures    
    Figure 4.6-1 Special Well Construction Areas  
    Appendicies    
    Appendix A-4.6 MPCA/MDH PFOA Fact Sheet  
  4.7 Wetland Management  
    4.7.1 Importance  
    4.7.2 General Issues  
    4.7.3 Mission   
    4.7.4 Policies and Actions to Accomplish Mission  
    4.7.5 History Related to Wetlands  
      4.7.5.1 Historic Data  
      4.7.5.2 Wetland Regulations  
    4.7.6 Identified Wetland Issues  
      4.7.6.1 Hydrology  
      4.7.6.2 Vegetation  
      4.7.6.3 Connectivity  
      4.7.6.4 Water Quality  
      4.7.6.5 Wildlife, Fisheries, Amphibians  
      4.7.6.6 Education  
    4.7.7 Policy Details, Strategies, and Actions Related to Wetland Management  
    Tables    
    Table 4.7-1 Wetland Regulation Summary  
    Figures    
    Figure 4.7-1 Wetland Management Classification Flowchart  
        
  4.8 Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control  
    4.8.1 Importance  
    4.8.2 General Issues  
    4.8.3 Mission  
    4.8.4 Policies to Accomplish Mission  
    4.8.5 Background and History Related to Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control
    4.8.6 Identified Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Issues  
    4.8.7 Policy Details, Strategies, and Actions Related to Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control
  4.9 Funding  
    4.9.1 Importance  
    4.9.2 General Issues  
    4.9.3 Mission  
    4.9.4 Policies to Accomplish Mission  
    4.9.5 Background and History Related to Funding  
    4.9.6 Identified Funding Issues  
    4.9.7 Policy Details, Strategies, and Actions Related to Funding  
    Tables    
    Table 4.9-1 Estimated Tax Impact for Various Levy Amounts  
    Table 4.9-2 Funding Method Guidelines for Water Quality Projects over $500,000
    Table 4.9-3 Funding Method Guidelines for Other Projects over $500,000
    Appendices    
    Appendix A-4.9 Grant and Loan Programs  
  4.10 References  
 
5.0 Individual Watershed Management Plans (subheadings listed and navigable through each plan file link below)
 

Tables

    
  Table 5.0-1 Numerical Listing of Section 5 Subsections  
  Table 5.0-2 Alphabetical Listing of Section 5 Subsections  
  5.1 Silver Lake Watershed Management Plan  
  5.2 Acorn (Mud) Lake Watershed Management Plan  
  5.3 Echo Lake Watershed Management Plan  
  5.4 Weber Pond Watershed Management Plan  
  5.5 Long Lake Watershed Management Plan  
  5.6 Capaul’s Pond Watershed Management Plan  
  5.7 Lake DeMontreville Watershed Management Plan  
  5.8 Lake Olson Watershed Management Plan  
  5.9 Lake  Jane Watershed Management Plan  
  5.10 Beutel Pond Watershed Management Plan  
  5.11 Raleigh Creek Watershed Management Plan  
  5.12 Eagle Point Lake Watershed Management Plan  
  5.13 Lake Elmo  Watershed Management Plan  
  5.14 Downs Lake Watershed Management Plan  
  5.15 Horseshoe Lake Watershed Management Plan  
  5.16 West Lakeland Storage Site Watershed Management Plan  
  5.17 Rest Area Pond Watershed Management Plan  
  5.18 Fahlstrom Pond Watershed Management Plan  
  5.19 Lake Edith Watershed Management Plan  
  5.20 Valley Creek Watershed Management Plan  
  5.21 Sunnybrook Lake Watershed Management Plan  
  5.22 Klawitter Pond Watershed Management Plan  
  5.23 Cloverdale Lake Watershed Management Plan  
  5.24 McDonald Lake Watershed Management Plan  
  5.25 Sunfish Lake Watershed Management Plan  
  5.26 Friedrich’s Pond Watershed Management Plan  
  5.27 Legion Pond Watershed Management Plan  
  5.28 Bay Lake Watershed Management Plan  
  5.29 Goose Lake Watershed Management Plan  
  5.30 Clear Lake Watershed Management Plan  
  5.31 Goetschel Pond Watershed Management Plan  
  5.32 Mergens Pond  Watershed Management Plan  
  5.33 Rose Lake Watershed Management Plan  
  5.34 Kramer Pond Watershed Management Plan  
  5.35 Barton Pit Watershed Management Plan  
  5.36 St. Croix River Watershed Management Plan  
5.37 Kelle’s Coulee Watershed Management Plan
5.38 Swede Hill Cree Watershed Management Plan
         
6.0 VBWD Plan Review, Update and Revision
  6.1 VBWD Plan Review, Approval and Adoption  
  6.2 Plan Update  
  6.3 Plan Revisions  
    6.3.1 Minor Plan Amendments  
    6.3.2 General Plan Amendments  
  Figures    
  Figure 6-1 Plan Amendment Decision Process  
         
7.0 Implementation Program
  7.1 Implementation Program  
  7.2 Impact on Local Governments  
  Tables    
  Table 7-1 Implementation Program  
  Table 7-2 Implementation Program Summarized by Year  
         
8.0 Local Watershed Management Plans
  8.1 Local Watershed Management Plans
  8.2 Requirements for Local Watershed Management Plans
  8.3 VBWD Review of Local Watershed Management Plans
  Tables    
  Table 8-1 VBWD Communities, WMOs, and Required Dates of Local Plan Adoptions