Feasibility Study for Algal Removal at The Draw

Prepared for: The City of Ramsey

Prepared by: University of Minnesota CEGE 5511 Urban Hydrology and Water Quality Class

Team Members: Mark Christenson, Ann Lokke, Darrin Rickbeil, Vinicius Taguchi, Rena Weis

Advisor: Dr. John Gulliver, P.E.

In Partnership with: The Resilient Communities Project

Theprojectonwhichthispresenta0onisbasedwascompletedincollabora0onwiththeCityofRamseyaspartofthe2017–2018ResilientCommuni0esProject(RCP)partnership.RCPisaprogramattheUniversityofMinnesota’sCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)thatconnectsUniversityfacultyandstudentswithMinnesotacommuni0estoaddressstrategicprojectsthatadvancelocalresilienceandsustainability.Thecontentsofthisreportrepresenttheviewsoftheauthors,anddonotnecessarilyreflectthoseofRCP,CURA,theRegentsoftheUniversityofMinnesota,ortheCityofRamsey.

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Site Location: The Draw

Photo Credit: Google Maps 2017

Introduction

u  Man-made pond in downtown Ramsey, MN

u  Captures storm-water during storm events to be used in irrigation of local fields

u  Fed by groundwater during dry conditions to remain aesthetically appealing

u  Each summer, mats of filamentous algae are found in the pond causing poor aesthetics and water quality

Photo Credit: Mark Riverblood 2017

Goals

u  Quantify phosphorus levels in The Draw and groundwater

u  Mindful consideration of aesthetics u  Minimize chances of winter fish kill

u  Sustainability

u  Propose solutions to eliminate filamentous algae from The Draw

Water Sampling: Total Phosphorus

u  The Draw Water: 40 µg/L 

u  Groundwater used to replenish The Draw: 15 µg/L 

Evaluated Treatment Methods

u  Limit Growth of Filamentous Algae

u  Barley Bales

u  Pond Drawdown

u  Strategic Street Sweeping

u  Pretreatment

u  Sump

u  Pond

u  Vegetated Filter Strip

u  Iron-Enhanced Sand Filter

u  Floating Treatment Wetlands

u  Stock Fish

u  Alum Treatment

u  Blue Dye

u  Watershed Solutions

u  Rain Gardens

u  Infiltration Trenches

u  Boulevard Trees

u  Mechanical Removal

u  Department of Corrections Removal

u  Beneficial Bacteria

Criteria Barl

ey B

ales

Blue

Dye

Pond

Dra

wdo

wn

Stre

et S

wee

ping

Sum

p

Vege

tate

d Fi

lter

St

rip

Iron

-Enh

ance

d Sa

nd

Filt

er

Floa

ting

Tre

atm

ent

Wet

land

s

Stoc

k Fi

sh

Boul

evar

d Tr

ees

Aer

atio

n Sy

stem

s

Mec

hani

cal R

emov

al

Dep

artm

ent

of

Corr

ecti

ons

Rem

oval

Bene

fici

al B

acte

ria

Cost 4 4 5 2 2 2 1 3 2 2 2 3 3 3

Likelihood of Success 5 5 1 3 3 3 4 2 1 1 3 5 5 5

Visual Impact 5 4 1 5 5 5 3 2 5 5 5 2 2 5

Operation & Maintenance Requirements

5 5 5 3 3 5 3 4 5 3 5 5 1 5

General Feasibility 5 5 1 5 4 2 1 3 1 2 5 5 5 5

Sum 24 23 13 18 17 17 12 13 14 13 20 20 16 23

Feasible Treatment Methods Barley Bales, Mechanical Removal, Blue Dye, Beneficial Bacteria

Barley Bales u  Suppression of algal growth

u  Effective for most common species of filamentous algae

u  No known adverse effects to other aquatic species

u  Aerobic conditions required for degradation

u  Potentially install aeration system

u  Recommended application rate to The Draw: 121-225 lbs of straw per acre

Photo Credit: https://www.summitchemical.com/garden-home/barley-straw-bales/

Mechanical Removal u  Automatic removal of algae and

debris

u  Minimal labor

u  Installation of pump

u  3-4 ft wide and 5-6 ft long screen at The Draw

Photo Credit: International Water Screens 2015

Blue Dye u  Used as a shade to reduce growth by

blocking photosynthesis

u  Contains colorants and are not harmful to wildlife

u  May affect submergent plants that fish consume to survive

u  Does not kill existing algae

u  Safe to use for irrigation 

u  EcoLox Blue Dye

u  One gallon treats 3.9 million gallons, 4 feet deep

u  Good for up to 30 days

Photo Credit: https://ecoloxdyes.com/buy-ecolox-pond-dye-lake-dye/

Beneficial Bacteria u  Add to pond before algal bloom

develops

u  Consumes phosphorus aerobically

u  Aeration system recommended

u  Does not kill algae, simply eliminates  nutrients algae feeds on

u  Inoculation dose as pond thaws in spring

u  Maintenance doses once per month in summer

u  Aeration system will increase dissolve oxygen in water improving pond health

Photo Credit: pondalgaesolutions.com, 2017

Photo Credit: americanaeration.com, 2017

Biosphere PRO 1 Acre Treatment

Kasco RA3 Aeration System

Cost Analysis

Treatment Method Approximate Cost*

Barley Bales $200/year

Mechanical Removal >$21,000

Blue Dye $750/year

Beneficial Bacteria w/ Aeration $1,300/year & $2,800 installation

*Costs include the cost of the products and neglect any labor costs associated with application and maintenance of the treatment method

Recommendations

u  Most Cost Effective u  Barley bales

u  Could be implemented in conjunction with blue dye and aeration if needed

u  Most Direct u  Mechanical removal through water screen

u  Directly removes floating algae

u  Can be turned on or off as needed

u  Plant matter needs to be collected and composted