OVERVIEW OF THE SUNRISE RIVER WATERSHED STUDY

Elliott Stefanik, US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul MN
Jerry Spetzman, Chisago County, Center City MN
Chris Klucas, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, St. Paul MN

The Sunrise River in east-central Minnesota is an altered watershed and river system that has many identified impairments for water quality and aquatic biota. It is also one of the most significant contributors of phosphorous and sediment to the St. Croix River. In fall 2007, a joint multi-agency effort was initiated to perform a detailed watershed study of aquatic resources of the Sunrise River Basin. The objective of the Sunrise River Watershed Study is to prepare a plan for watershed management that provides the technical basis for future management of aquatic resources. Key issues to be evaluated include water quality, nutrient and sediment loading, stream stability and erosion, aquatic habitat conditions, and management of wetland resources. The study will include evaluation of how land use and projected future population growth influence these key resource issues, how future land use might be better managed, and the potential economic cost for such management actions. Here we present an overview of this joint effort, including key study components, and how the results can hopefully be used to guide management decisions that will benefit not only the Sunrise River, but also the downstream St. Croix River.