East Vadnais Lake Subwatershed Resiliency Project

• Watershed Management

• Vadnais Lakes: East and West

This resiliency study focused on reviewing how the East Vadnais Lake subwatershed can be more resilient (be able to prepare for and adapt) to current and future large storm events, flood risk, and water quality pressures.

• The study reviewed a roughly 280 acre area north and east of East Vadnais Lake.
• East Vadnais Lake is the main drinking water reservoir for over 450,000 customers and needs continued protection.
• Flood risk areas and water quality improvement opportunity locations were studied as part of the project.

Funding for the study was provided through a partnership between Ramsey County, Saint Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS), the City of Vadnais Heights, and VLAWMO.

Ramsey County completed a flood feasibility study for a historic flooding area that leads directly to East Vadnais Lake. This study recommended implementation of a flood reduction and water quality improvement project that was constructed in 2024.

VLAWMO was interested in expanding the flood feasibility study further upstream of the subwatershed to try to reduce water runoff and pollutants before they drain to the historic flooding area and East Vadnais Lake. This led to a continued partnership with Ramsey County, SPRWS, and the City of Vadnais Heights to pursue a resiliency study for the larger East Vadnais Lake subwatershed.

The East Vadnais Lake Subwatershed Resiliency Study report reviewed 9 potential project areas to reduce flooding and improve water quality for existing and future climate conditions. Of the 9 studied projects, 1 of the project options was recommended to be a larger-scale project to provide a high impact. This project is currently being studied for potential future implementation and funding. Stay tuned for more information.