Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District

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Clean Water Story

The following is a summary of grant activity for Project Recharge!, a Clean Water Fund-funded project. Click here to download this summary as a PDF.

The SWCD initiated Project Recharge to create and apply a protection strategy to address declining water quality trend reported in a 2008 large lakes analysis.

The report contained watershed and trend analysis for lakes over 1,000 acres in size and led to targeting of lands located within lakesheds containing the highest ratio of impervious to pervious surfaces. These included the Cities of Breezy Point, Crosslake, and Fifty Lakes. The SWCD prioritized work for Serpent and Rush lakes due to their declining transparency trend analysis.

The SWCD worked with partners to find and approach landowners and businesses to complete the following types of projects that all used native plant species:

Swap Rock for Native Stock: Implement bioengineering to stabilize shoreline. All projects are approximately 750 square feet.
Buff up Your Shoreline: Restore native vegetative buffers to shoreline. All projects are approximately 750 square feet.
Rain, Rain, Soak Away: Install residential raingardens sized to infiltrate a 1” rain event.
4 Demonstration Sites: Created bio-retention basins and infiltration swales.

The SWCD has partnered with the City of Fifty Lakes, Crosslake Parks and Recreation, 7 different landowners, the Bait Box, Peaceful Harbor, a 24-member Association, Immanuel Lutheran Church, and Breezy Point Resort to intercept, infiltrate, and treat stormwater runoff.

Collectively, over two tons of sediment, 16 pounds of phosphorus, and six million gallons of annual runoff is prevented from entering Pelican, Serpent, Crosslake, Rush, East and West Fox Lakes.

The SWCD used media resources to create more awareness about the Clean Water Legacy Funds and the importance of stormwater management. Public TV interviewed the SWCD five times, and had three radio interviews. In addition, over 20 press releases were printed in local newspapers.

Grants for Citizens

Community Partners Stormwater Reduction Mini-Grants

You should apply for this grant if you want to work with your neighbors or collaborate with a local organization to filter rainwater on the landscape and improve water quality! Up to 75% of project expenses for projects up to $25,000 can be reimbursed to grantees.

Applications will be accepted between January 1, 2013 and April 1, 2013. Download the application in Microsoft Word format by clicking on the following links:

Grant Application

Application Guidelines

Project Recharge! Restoring the Natural Hydrology to Urban Lakesheds

Crow Wing SWCD is now accepting applications to cost-share with landowners within Crosslake, Breezy Point, Fifty Lakes, and Crosby communities on shoreline buffers, shoreline stabilization projects, raingardens, and no-mow zones.

For more information about these conservation practices, download and read the Crow Wing County "Landowner's Guide to Lake Stewardship." Copies are available in the Crow Wing SWCD office at no cost.

Application materials are available for download here:

To apply, submit Application and $25.00 screening fee. Remit payment to Crow Wing SWCD, 322 Laurel Street Suite 13, Brainerd, MN 56401.

The Landowner Agreement outlines the project requirements including estimated project area, cash match, in-kind labor contribution, estimated maximum project cost, maintenance requirements and deed restriction.

Visit Community Demonstration Projects:

Breezy Point Resort - Raingarden/Biorention Basin
Fifty Lakes City Hall - Raingarden Biorention Basin
Crosslake Community Center - Raingarden Biorention Basin
Crosby, Immanuel Lutheran Church - Raingardens

To volunteer: contact Melissa Barrick or call 218-828-6197. Volunteer duties can include planting, mulching, weeding, and watering.

Partners: City of Crosslake, Crosby, Breezy Point, Fifty Lakes, Whitefish Area Property Owners Association, Serpent Lake Association, Pelican Lake Association, and Fifty Lakes Property Owners Association.

Buffer planting.

Willow fence (Spiles) used to absorb wave energy, reducing undercutting, and disturbance to new plantings for establishment of native emergent vegetation

Note budding twig adjacent to post. A red osier cutting that was placed in the willow fence for growth to hold the shoreline and provide habitat, for when the fence decomposes.

A willow fence was constructed of native willow to reduce wave action and a coconut coir log anchored under the bank.

Core log placed at toe of bank and planted in sedges. Natural settling will fill in area reducing disturbance of vegetation and soil. Sedges will protect against shoreline erosion when established.

For more information please contact Beth Hippert at the Crow Wing SWCD.