4.1. SR 10-28-1996City of
ITEM 4.1.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
iver
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
STEPHEN ROHLF, BUILDING AND
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
DATE: OCTOBER 28, 1996
SUBJECT: FUNDING REQUEST TO COMPLETE
LAKE ORONO STUDY
The Lake Orono Improvement Association requested an opportunity to speak
to the Council regarding funding to complete the Lake Orono study that
began this summer. There is an attachment to this memo that highlights the
purpose of the study and what progress has been made.
City staff has been coordinating this study and have cut cost wherever
possible. Volunteers have been used to the maximum extent possible and
sampling events have been reduced to only what is absolutely necessary.
The Lake Orono Improvement Association will be seeking finical aid from the
County and other community organizations. However, it is estimated that to
complete the study as much as $10,000 will need to be contributed by the
City of Elk River.
Staff is very supportive of this effort. We feel Lake Orono is too valuable of a
resource to not take care of it.
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13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
LAKE ORONO SEDIMENTATION/WATER QUALITY STUDY
Why Study The Lake?
Lake Orono is a recreational resource and economic asset for the residents
of the City of Elk River and Sherburne County. It obviously imperative to
protect this important resource.
· Many contend that the lake has already deteriorated to a point where
substantial improvement is necessary.
· The study will evaluate water quality and sedimentation.
If improvements to the lake are warranted, the study will determine the
appropriate scope and extent of the project as well as future preventative
measures.
Progress To Date:
· The following existing lake data was gathered:
· Minnesota Pollution Control Agency classified the lake as swimming
impaired and nearly hazardous.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) indicated that if
the sedimentation rate into the lake was not controlled, the lake would
soon become a swamp.
Several meetings were held with the Lake Orono Sedimentation Task
Force, the City of Elk River and appropriate county, state and federal
agencies.
· A RFP was distributed and Wenck Associates, Inc. was selected as the
hydro-engineering consultant for the study.
· Run-off sampling began late summer of 1996. This sampling will take
place over a one year period using volunteer help.
· Sediment core sampling and analysis was completed in the fall of 1996.
The Sedimentation Task Force used volunteer help to digitized the
existing 1971 lake map and was successful at encouraging the DNR to
produce a new lake map (available in spring 1997) to aid in determining
the sedimentation rate.
What Is Needed To Complete The Study?
Sampling and testing is projected to be completed in the fall of 1997 with
the report available in the winter of 97/98.
· To date, between Sherburne County and the City of Elk River, $10,000
has been contributed toward the study.
Study activities for 1996 were supported by the county and city funding,
as well as volunteer help from the Lake Improvement Association and in-
kind services as well as funding from the Sherburne Soil and Water
Conservation District.
· To complete the study, an estimated $19,000 is needed.
What Follows The Study?
· If the study shows that there is not a significant problem with water
quality or sedimentation, the project is complete.
If the study shows there is a significant problem with water quality or the
sedimentation rate into the lake, options to remedy the problems
discovered and ways to prevent them from occurring again will be
identified for the county's and city's consideration.
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