Project Description

A large-scale water quality improvement project took place at the southwest corner of Lake Calhoun as part of the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Clean Water Partnership Project. The project is a key component of the largest urban lake restoration in the United States.

Background

This project was initiated in 1989 by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD), with assistance from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) through a Clean Water Partnership (CWP) grant. The overall project framework include: a diagnostic study to characterize and quantify the causes contributing to the decline in water quality in the lake, the development of numerical water quality goals for the lake, and the determination of performance standards for a plan to improve water quality and achieve the desired goals. A Phase II study was also conducted, which evaluated various alternatives for water quality goals set forth in the diagnostic study. These studies were undertaken with the support of the municipalities contributing runoff to Long Lake, assisted by a citizens advisory committee comprised of representatives of local city councils and other interested parties.

A variety of federal, state, and local authorities require permits for various activities that impact natural resources.  These include but are not limited to the following:

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)

The MPCA requires