News from Capitol Region Watershed District October 2014
Our mission is to protect, manage and improve the water resources of Capitol Region Watershed District. Established in 1998, CRWD covers 40 square miles and includes portions of the cities of Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Maplewood, Roseville and Saint Paul. Located within Ramsey County, it has a population of 225,000 people. The District drains to the Mississippi River, also its primary water resource. Como Lake, Crosby Lake, Loeb Lake and Lake McCarrons are also located in the District. Board of Managers: Joe Collins, President Mary Texer, Vice President Seitu Jones, Secretary Mike Thienes, Treasurer Shirley Reider, Board Manager Mark Doneux, Administrator CRWD Programs: Permitting Education and Outreach Water Quality Monitoring Grants Capital Improvement Projects
Bringing water back to Saint Paul at Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary by Lindsay VanPatten The new 40-acre Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary is the largest park of its kind in Saint Paul and is located on the west side of I35 between Maryland Avenue and Cayuga Street. The sanctuary officially opens in spring 2015. Prior to development, the area was part of the Trout Brook stream channel, which used to flow from Lake McCarrons in Roseville through the new sanctuary location, to the Mississippi River near downtown Saint Paul. As the city was developed and a rail line constructed, Trout Brook was rerouted to underground storm drains, along with nearly all the city’s natural stream channels. Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary is an especially important asset to residents because of its size, location and water quality improvement benefits. Saint Paul has very few areas of land remaining for large natural restoration projects and very few natural stream channels. The sanctuary is a wilderness oasis within view of downtown Saint Paul designed for both recreation and restoration, creating a rare opportunity for city residents to interact with nature. A section of Trout Brook Regional Trail runs through the sanctuary along the 3,200-foot restored stream
Youth interns from Urban Roots tour Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary.
channel and connects to the Gateway Trail at Cayuga. The first pond at the north end was designed to remove pollution from the water at the head of the channel. From there water flows downstream through various natural features like wetlands, pools and bends that clean the water and provide habitat for aquatic wildlife. Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary is the result of the hard work of community members and collaboration between City of Saint Paul, the Tri-Area Block Club and CRWD. Mark your calendars for spring 2015 – we’ll see you at Trout Brook!
Trout Brook Regional Trail runs through the park along the restored stream channel.
Capitol Region Watershed District 1410 Energy Park Drive, Suite 4 • St. Paul, MN 55108 • 651-644-8888 • www.capitolregionwd.org