DUNN COUNTY: Tainter Lake Nutrient Loading & Phosphorus Reduction Study

1) Determine nutrient loading to Tainter Lake from each of two contributing watersheds; the South Fork Hay River Watershed, and the Pine Creek and Red Cedar River Watershed. Project will involve remote sensing using aerial photography and analysis through a computerized Geographic Information System (GIS). Animal unit concentrations and their locations will be used as an index. Relative phosphorus loads will be projected by watershed. Two representative subwatersheds will undergo a more detailed land use analysis. 2) Determine landowner willingness to voluntarily cooperate in phosphorus reduction by a random mailing of questionnaires in both watersheds. The watershed selected for a concentrated effort at phosphorus reduction will have a questionnaire sent to every landowner. 3) Final report will be prepared to include; - which watershed is the greater contributor of phosphorus to Tainter Lake, -whether landowners are willing to voluntarily cooperate with cleanup, - an array of resource maps, (topographic, soils, land use, etc.). Data reporting format to be worked out in consultation with Buzz Sorge, DNR district contact. Project results will be reposited at the Dunn County Land Conservation Dept. and the DNR District Office. Amendment 2: establish a school electronic bulletin board system on water quality and monitor phosphorus loading from Jerome Foods turkey manure disposal practices. Amendment 4: develop 2 shoreline landscaping demonstration projects, include mailing costs for the lake related educational information.

Activities

• Nutrient Budget Development

People/Organizations Involved

• Patrick Sorge