Project Detail

Balsam Branch PWS Plan - Nine Key Element Plan

Purpose

The Balsam Branch Priority Watershed Project plan examines the sources of nonpoint pollution in the watershed and guides the implementation of pollution control measures. The goal of the plan is to protect, maintain, and enhance the aquatic ecosystem of the watershed. The major land use in the watershed is agriculture. Therefore, agricultural runoff is a significant concern. However, most of the lake shoreline is developed, and as seasonal homes are converted to permanent homes, pollutants from residential sources will increase. Village residents also contribute their share of pollution through stormwater runoff that drains to a stream or lake. Some residents of the watershed have already adopted best management practices (BMPs), such as conservation tillage and lakeshore buffer strips, that protect water quality. However, for the watershed project to be successful, many more residents and visitors to the watershed will need to mindful of such practices.

Objective

Polk County Land and Water Conservation Department. The Balsam Branch Watershed contains several high value recreational lakes that are developed with lakeshore homes, parks, and resorts. The watershed's proximity to the Twin Cities (Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minnesota) makes it a target for continued development and urbanization pressure. Lake fertility ranges from mesotrophic to highly eutrophic. Mesotrophic lakes have moderate nutrient levels and productivity, while eutrophic lakes have higher nutrient levels and are very productive with high concentrations of aquatic plants and algae. As plants and algae die back, the deeper waters of highly eutrophic lakes become depleted of oxygen and cold-water fish may die. The streams of the watershed are mostly tributary to one of the lakes. Streams in this watershed are low gradient and have large areas of associated wetlands. There do not appear to be many widespread nonpoint source related problems on these streams, however, there are site specific problems which can be addressed through this project. Runoff from eroding croplands and livestock operations is the major source of nonpoint pollution in the watershed. http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/nonpoint/documents/9kep/expired/Balsam_Branch-Plan.pdf

Outcome

The control measures are designed to protect, maintain, and enhance the aquatic ecosystem of the watershed. . Sources of nonpoint pollution found in this watershed include: cropland, streambanks, gullies, construction sites, livestock manure, lakeshore property, urban land, and septic systems. These sources contribute sediment, nutrients, toxins, and organic matter to the water. The purpose of this project is to reduce the amount of pollutants originating from these sources, thereby reducing the amount of pollution reaching surface water and groundwater in the project area.

Project Type

Water Quality Planning

Project Sub Type

Priority Watershed Plan

Project ID

NKE1

Year Started

1995

Status

Complete

Reports and Documents

Balsam Branch Lake Photograph

Balsam Lake Japanese Knotweed 9-23-2014

Photo of Japanese knotweed found by Katelin Holm on Balsam Lake, 9-23-2014

Balsam Branch Watershed (SC05) Ecological Landscapes Map

Balsam Branch PWS Plan - Nine Key Element Plan part1

Balsam Branch PWS Plan - Nine Key Element Plan

Balsam Branch PWS Plan - Nine Key Element Plan part2

Balsam Branch PWS Plan - Nine Key Element Plan (8MB)

Activities & Recommendations

Monitor Watershed (Status,Sources,Impairments)

The Balsam Branch Priority Watershed Project plan examines the sources of nonpoint pollution in the watershed and guides the implementation of pollution control measures.

Nine Key Element Plan

The Balsam Branch Priority Watershed Project plan examines the sources of nonpoint pollution in the watershed and guides the implementation of pollution control measures.

Nine Key Element Plan

Watershed

Waters

Purpose

Objective

Outcome

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