UPPER ST CROIX LAKE ASSOCIATION: A Community Approach to Data Collection, Lake Modeling & Strategic Planning, Phase 1

Upper St. Croix Lake Association is sponsoring a four-phase project to develop a community-based lake management plan. This scope covers the first two phases of the project. Phase 1 includes tributary water quality and flow with loading estimates, as well as climate data collection. Phase 2 includes in-lake physical and chemical data collection, including water chemistry, clarity, and temperature, as well as groundwater flow and quality. In both phases, citizen volunteers will be trained to collect data (e.g. water quality samples and mapping of open-water areas), and a project steering committee will identify education and communication opportunities, coordinate volunteers, and provide project development input. The monitoring data will be used in modeling (Phase 3) to shape science-based management recommendations. These recommendations will be integrated into the (Phase 4) strategic lake management planning. The Phase 1 and 2 final deliverables will be a summary of monitoring results and education/communication outreach both in report and presentation formats.

Activities

• Lake Management Plan Development

People/Organizations Involved

• Upper St Croix Lake Association