Conservation Corps of Minnesota, lake associations, landowners and the Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) partnered together recently to install a shoreline buffer on West Fox lake, and a shoreline buffer on Cross Lake.
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Native plants were planted as a shoreland buffer on the Theiler property on West Fox Lake.
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All projects will use natural materials and native plants. Projects are designed with the landowner in mind to establish uses and plants to match the specific site needs.
These projects will reduce amount of phosphorus, sediment and water volume running into the lake.
The average lake lot is 100 by 200 feet with a home 3,350 square-foot perimeter, 770 square-foot driveway, 6 percent slope to the lake, and maintained lawn soil graded.
That will produce 5,000 feet of runoff, 20 pounds of phosphorus and 90 pounds of sediment to the lake (Minnesota DNR Model 1990).
These flowers, grasses, and shrubs have long root systems that will anchor the shoreline, protecting the bank from future erosion problems.
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Native plants were planted on the Wentzier property on Cross Lake.
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Once these projects are established the plant communities will provide additional habitat to fish, birds, butterflies and insects.
This is just one of the ways that the SWCD is improving the quality of life and quality of water in Crow Wing County. Shoreline buffers are just one of initiatives available through the Project Recharge, Clean Water Amendment Grant the SWCD received in spring of 2010.
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Once these projects are established the plant communities will provide additional habitat to fish, birds, butterflies and insects.
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Funds for this project are provided through the Board of Water and Soil Resources, Clean Water Amendment.
