This project was a cooperative funding effort between VLAWMO and the North Oaks Homeowners Association (NOHOA). A Board of Water and Soil Resources Clean Water Fund grant was obtained to utilize the Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa for project installation.
The movement of water and ice in the channel between Deep Lake and Pleasant Lake had eroded and undercut the banks. This created an area of concern for VLAWMO, the City of North Oaks, and NOHOA. Excess sediment from the eroded banks created a risk for channel obstruction, loss of upland soil, degradation of aquatic habitat, and excess nutrients that negatively impact water quality. Reducing these risks was determined as a benefit for Pleasant Lake, which connects to Sucker and East Vadnais Lake, the reservoir for the Saint Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS). VLAWMO partnered with the Ramsey County Soil and Water Conservation Division (RCSWCD) to develop a restoration plan.
170 native shade perennials, 27 shrubs, and 5 trees were planted on site. 200 locally harvested willow and dogwood shrub stakes were also used for stabilization near the shoreline. The restoration has provided successful channel stabilization and protection for Pleasant Lake since its completion in 2015.
