In 2015 Ayres Associates completed a LiDAR data acquisition project for Polk County. LiDAR mapping for Polk County will be the basis for developing county-wide phosphorus reduction strategies for lake protection. LiDAR provides agricultural producers, developers, lake organizations, and resource managers with a highly accurate elevation model to identify which watersheds and subwatersheds contribute the greatest nutrient loads to Polk County waterbodies. EVAAL modeling was then used to determine soil erosion vulnerability within the southern half of the Horse Creek watershed.

Polk County is sponsoring a project to acquire LiDAR imagery which will be the basis for identifying which watersheds and sub-watersheds contribute the greatest nutrient loads to Polk County waterbodies. The final deliverables include the identification of priority sub-watersheds and in-field waterways for best management practices to assist the Cedar Lake TMDL, and a final report describing how LiDAR will be used to assist the Cedar Lake TMDL, Squaw Lake TMDL, Lake St. Croix TMDL, and Polk County Impaired Waters.

Polk County is sponsoring a project to acquire LiDAR imagery which will be the basis for identifying which watersheds and sub-watersheds contribute the greatest nutrient loads to Polk County waterbodies.