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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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
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