Sunrise River Watershed Study

Study Focus

A watershed study was performed for the Sunrise River Watershed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including all areas upstream of the Sunrise River confluence with the St. Croix River. The study focused on priority water resource issues identified through collaboration with Chisago County, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and stakeholders. This included evaluating existing conditions for water quality; aquatic habitat; wetlands presence and historical loss; geomorphic conditions; and groundwater / surface water interactions.

The potential for future development was assessed, including potential impact of future land use on phosphorus and sediment loading. Various land use scenarios were considered to assess potential for reduced future phosphorus loading from the watershed. Finally, recommendations were made to direct future watershed planning.

Watershed Study Report

Sunrise River Watershed Study Report (PDF)

Appendix A

• Constructing a SWAT model of the Sunrise River Watershed, Eastern Minnesota (PDF)

Appendix B

• Applying a SWAT model of the Sunrise River Watershed, Eastern Minnesota, to predict water quality impacts from land use changes (PDF)

Appendix C

• Lower St. Croix River Watershed Monitoring and Assessment Report (PDF)

Appendix D

• Sunrise River Watershed, Inventory of Historical and Aerial Extent of Aquatic Resources
  • Wetland Inventory Report (PDF)
  • Tables 1 - 6 (PDF)
  • Figure 1 - Base map (PDF)
  • Figure 2 - Historic Wetlands (Hydric Soils) (PDF)
  • Figure 3 - Existing Wetlands (PDF)
  • Figure 4 - Wetland Loss (PDF)
  • Figure 5 - Wetland Loss Percentages by Minor Basin (PDF)
  • Figure 6 - Aquatic Resource Loss Percentages by Minor Basin (PDF)
  • Figure 7 - Cumulative Aquatic Resource Loss Percentages by Sub-Basin (PDF)
  • Figure 8 - Land Cover Chart (PDF)
  • Figure 9 - Impervious Percentages by Minor Basin (PDF)
  • Figure 10 - Cropland Percentages by Minor Basin (PDF)
  • Figure 11 - Cumulative Cropland Percentages by Sub-Basin (PDF)
  • Figure 12 - Wetland and Open Water Percentages by Minor Basin (PDF)
  • Figure 13 - Cumulative Wetland and Open Water Percentages by Sub-Basin (PDF)
  • Appendices A - C (PDF)
• Sunrise River Watershed, Identification and Formulation of Compensatory Mitigation Opportunities (PDF)

Appendix E

• Sunrise River Geomorphic Study (PDF)

Appendix F

• Lake to Groundwater Interaction Study, April 7, 2008; Updated June 2010 (PDF)