Minnesota Water Resources Conference - Water Resources Center ...

BOOK OF ABSTRACTS
Tuesday, Monday, October 27 23
Poster Session 4:45–5:45
Highway 36 Reconstruction: Erosion Control is a Collaborative Effort
Nicole Daneilson-Bartelt, Mn/DOT, nicole.danielson-bartelt@dot.state.mn.us; Paige Wein, Ramsey-Washington Metro
Watershed District; Mike Goodnature, Ramsey County Soil and Water Conservation District; Dwayne Stenlund, Minnesota
Department of Transportation
The Highway 36 Reconstruction in North St. Paul is a project recognized for having a number of innovative
construction and contracting techniques including total closure of the road during construction, intelligent
compaction, and machine control, among others. Due to these innovations, the project was watched and
visited regularly by many interested parties. All aspects of the project were open to increased examination,
including erosion control.
The objectives of the Highway 36 erosion control plan were to follow the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
(SWPPP) in a timely and appropriate manner, use available materials and labor to protect natural resources
onsite, and communicate effectively between all erosion control partners.
The methods used to meet the goals of the erosion control plan focused on the “team effort” between the
erosion control partners. The following are some of the tools used to keep all parties informed of important
issues: regular on-site meetings, preemptive notification if there were any erosion control issues and how they
were being addressed, follow-up after any incidents, documentation of issues, solutions, and all regular best
management practices (BMP). The contractor and project partners also worked together to identify unique
best management practices, such as use of slash mulch for tracking control and washout pits, and a floating silt
curtain as a last outfall protection for the season.
The Highway 36 Reconstruction Team was recognized for the efforts of all partners with respect to
environmental excellence. Communication and cooperation were the keys to addressing erosion and
sedimentation control issues and maintaining good rapport between all interested parties.
Linking Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Restoration to the TMDL for the Upper Mississippi River-Lake
Pepin System
Joseph DePinto, Limno Tech Inc., jdepinto@limno.com; Wendy Larson, Limno Tech Inc.; Dan Rucinski, Limno Tech Inc.; Todd
Redder, Limno Tech Inc.; Norman Senjem, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; Hafiz Munir, Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency
The State of Minnesota is developing a TMDL for a 90 mile section of the Upper Mississippi River that is driven
by 303(d) priority listings for both turbidity and nutrient enrichment (total phosphorus and chlorophyll a). In
addition to the turbidity and nutrient enrichment water quality concerns, the frequency of submerged aquatic
vegetation (SAV) in the shallow and backwater areas of the system in 2002 is well below what was observed at
the start of the USGS Long Term Monitoring Program (LTRMP) in 1991. We have developed a GIS-based model
that computes SAV biomass production on a spatially distributed basis for Vallisneria americana (Wild Celery)
and Potamogeton pectinatus (Sago Pondweed) based on USACE-ERDC models for these two species. It has been
calibrated to lower Pool 4 aquatic vegetation data from the LTRMP, and then applied to three different areas in
Pool 2, Pool 3, and upper Pool 4. The model results demonstrate how reduction of turbidity and phytoplankton
biomass as a function of TMDL implementation will increase light penetration, thus creating an environment
that is more conducive to increased SAV growth and areal coverage.
37 Minnesota Water Resources Conference, October 27–28, 2008