Lake Owasso Shoreline Restoration

Project Goals:

• Reduce erosion by stabilizing the shore areas with deep-rooted plants to improve water quality.
• Manage undesirable plant species to promote diversity and increase the native plant population.
• Provide high-quality habitat by introducing native plant species to benefit fish, amphibians, birds, and pollinators.
• Create a more resilient and colorful shoreline.

Overview:

Lake Owasso, situated north of Bennett Lake and south of Lake Wabasso in the Owasso Chain, is the largest lake in the District. In 2021, RWMWD partnered with Ramsey County Parks and secured a Conservation Partners Legacy Grant to restore over 700 feet of shoreline between the boat launch and swimming beach along the northeast shore of Lake Owasso. Restoring the eroded shoreline and creating habitat benefits the water quality and wildlife of Lake Owasso.

Work to remove undesirable plants and repair shoreline erosion began in the Fall of 2021. Several valuable native plant species were uncovered during the initial site prep work, including three-square bulrush, water plantain, and hard stem bulrush. Dozens of unique native prairie and shoreline species were then seeded and planted with the help of volunteers, Ramsey County Gardener Education Volunteers, and hundreds of local students.

In the Fall of 2023, over 3,000 square feet of restoration was added to the total project area. This expansion converted more turf into prairie habitat and made room to include native shrubs in the landscape.

The shoreline work pairs nicely other recent improvements in the area. In 2018, Ramsey County Parks collaborated with the City of Shoreview and RWMWD to design a phased improvement plan for the Lake Owasso County Park area. Improvements were made to the water main, sanitary sewer, and stormwater infrastructure at the park as well as along North Owasso Boulevard. The water quality improvements include the installation of permeable pavers, permeable asphalt, rain gardens and other native planting areas. The park also features net zero facilities through solar energy and a nature play space. The improvements were installed to help filter rainwater runoff that would otherwise drain untreated into Owasso and Wabasso Lakes.