Five-Year Review of our Watershed Management Plan

Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) developed our 2021 Watershed Management Plan (Plan) to guide our actions in a coordinated, thoughtful, and effective manner over the period from 2021-2030. The District developed the Plan in collaboration with residents, stakeholders and partners who serve key roles in achieving District goals.

We completed a mid-plan review this year to measure our Plan progress. The Plan has 93 goals and sub-goals across 8 goal categories. Our review found that we are meeting 70% of WMP goals, and we are accomplishing the projects and programs to meet those goals.

Highlights from the last 5 years

Here are some project and program highlights completed during the first half of our current Watershed Management Plan, from 2021 to 2025.

Programs

CRWD created a Deputy Administrator position, formalized an Administration Division, and added six additional positions to CRWD’s staff roster. These actions helped meet Organizational goals to maintain and enhance the District capacity to achieve water and natural resource management goals.

We formed a partnership with the City of Saint Paul’s Right Track Program to provide WaterCorps internship opportunities for two youth ages 16-21 annually. CRWD hosted six interns from 2023-2025 and was awarded the 2024 Right Track Employer of the Year. This meets our Communications and Engagement goal to foster awareness and encourage participation of young people in environmental sciences careers.

We completed a partner-owned facility management and ownership evaluation, which led to the formation of a new Facility Management Program with a plan and staff division. From 2023-2026, we supported maintenance of 45 partner-owned stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs). This met Infrastructure Management goals.

We continued the work of our divisions by:

• Completing over 4,000 site inspections of permitted sites and closing over 90 permits, meeting Regulation goals.
• Awarding over 200 Clean Water Project and Native Landscaping Grants, meeting Ecosystem Health goals.
• Awarding 68 Partner Grants, meeting Communications & Engagement Goals.
• Monitoring 14 water quality sites, 5 lakes, and 13 Capital Improvement Projects annually, meeting Water Quality goals.

Projects

CRWD has made significant progress in implementing the Como Lake Management Plan, including an alum treatment, herbicide treatment for curly-leaf pondweed, native plant transplants, and shoreline restoration work. These actions meet Water Quality and Ecosystem Health goals.

The District completed Trout Brook hydrologic/hydraulic modeling updates and flood mitigation and water quality improvement studies. The modeling and studies meet Water Quantity goals.

CRWD developed a Climate Resiliency Framework to guide the organization’s work related to climate change. This meets Water Quantity goals.

We completed major repairs to 4,000 linear feet of Trout Brook Interceptor, capping a 15-Year Capital Improvement Plan. This achieves Water Quantity and Infrastructure Management goals.

We constructed an award-winning shared, stacked green infrastructure system and central water feature at Highland Bridge, including a pedestrian tunnel connecting people and hydrology to Hidden Falls Creek. This met Built Environment and Ecosystem Health goals.

High-priority future work planned

Looking forward, these are some highlights of projects and programs planned for the second half of our current Watershed Management Plan in 2026 to 2030.

Projects

Gottfried’s Pit is a regional stormwater pond and pump station in Falcon Heights that drains to Como Lake. CRWD is working on Como Park area drainage infrastructure planning and potential improvements to Gottfried’s Pit to meet Infrastructure Management and Water Quantity goals.

The District will update the 2012 Crosby Lake Management Plan and the 2009 Loeb Lake Management Plan, meeting Water Quality and Ecosystem Health goals.

CRWD and the City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation are constructing park and stormwater improvements at McMurray Fields in Como Regional Park. This project meets Water Quality goals.

CRWD and Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB) are working on Capitol Area Site-Specific Stormwater Planning, including at the former Sears Redevelopment Site. This will meet Built Environment goals.

In year eight (2029) of the current Plan, the District will begin developing its next 10-year Watershed Management Plan, meeting Organization goals.

Programs

CRWD is continuing to implement its Permittee Post-Construction BMP Inspections with the Permitted Sites Maintenance Program and evaluating its Regulatory program to meet evolving needs to meet Regulation goals.

CRWD is developing a chloride reduction grant program to meet Water Quality goals.

The District will continue its Clean Streets Program by working with District Planning Councils to coordinate trash and curb cleanups and chloride reduction campaigns. These meet Water Quality and Communications & Engagement goals.

CRWD’s Partner Grants Program may consider establishing mini grants to promote new partnerships and innovative engagement methods while increasing clean water knowledge and actions. This meets Communications & Engagement goals.

Mid-Plan Summary

As you read, the District has made progress across its identified goals, and has more work planned to continue to meeting its goals for the remainder of the current Plan.

The mid-plan review affirms that CRWD is effectively implementing its Watershed Management Plan, responsibly managing financial resources, and adapting to evolving priorities—positioning the District well to achieve its long-term watershed goals by 2030.