Category: Building Idaho’s Future and CDA Lake – Projects
Third Street Stormwater Volume Reduction Project
Project Sponsor
City of Coeur d’Alene
Purpose
The city of Coeur d’Alene is installing a stormwater storage and filtration system to divert stormwater runoff from an existing outfall.
The Third Street outfall discharges stormwater from 240 acres of city streets and parking areas, including downtown alleys. The outfall currently releases this stormwater, untreated, by the Third Street boat launch next to McEuen Park. While all stormwater carries pollutants with it as it passes over residential yards, city parks, sidewalks, and streets, this area includes special considerations related to dumpsters, grease, food waste, cigarette butts, and other substances that tend to concentrate in downtown streets and alleys. In addition, large rainfall events have overwhelmed the capacity of this storm system in recent years, causing localized flooding.
Improved stormwater treatments will help manage this runoff and reduce pollutant loading to Coeur d’Alene Lake.
Funding
This project was awarded $190,000 from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Status
This project is in the preliminary design phase.
Outcome
While the funding available is not sufficient to treat stormwater from the entire drainage area currently, this project is expected to reduce phosphorus loads to Coeur d’Alene Lake by at least 35 pounds annually. As more funding is secured, the city aims to expand the treatment capacity.
Mica Creek Floodplain Access Improvement Project
Project Sponsor
Kootenai Shoshone Soil and Water Conservation District
Purpose
This project aims to restore floodplain access to Mica Creek on private land during high-water events.
Historical farming practices diked the lower portion of Mica Creek, restricting floodplain access. Kootenai Shoshone Soil and Water Conservation District plans to remove a portion of the dike, allowing the stream to access the floodplain. This will allow sediment deposition within the floodplain and reduce sediment runoff into Coeur d’Alene Lake. This project will also help slow downstream flow, reduce streambank erosion, and improve groundwater recharge.
Funding
This project was awarded $56,512 from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Status
This project is approximately 75% complete. The floodplain channel was constructed in summer 2023, and a portion of the dike connecting Mica Creek to the overflow channel will be removed in summer 2024.
Outcome
This project is expected to reduce phosphorus loads to Coeur d’Alene Lake by 200 pounds annually.
Risk-Based Evaluation of Selected Recreational Areas in Coeur d’Alene Lake and Spokane River
Project Sponsor
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to determine if key contaminants currently present in sediments and recreational waters in Coeur d’Alene Lake and the Spokane River can cause harm to public health. This project is based on a recommendation from the 2022 National Academies of Sciences Report and includes a public outreach and sampling component.
Engagement
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is leading this project and began planning activities and stakeholder engagement in 2023 in conjunction with Alta Science and Engineering, Inc. Efforts will include gaining input from the public, state and federal officials, and Tribal leaders through a questionnaire, press release, and comment opportunities.
Sampling
Environmental sampling will occur in the summer of 2024. This will include taking samples at selected high-use areas at Coeur d’Alene Lake and along the Spokane River (informed through public engagement activities completed in 2023). Results will then be analyzed to determine if recreating on and around these water bodies may pose human health risks. These results will also be compared to a similar 1999 field study.
Funding
This project received $855,000 from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Status
The final work plan is complete and was shared with DEQ partners early February 2024. Next steps include developing a quality assurance project plan and acquiring necessary permits.
Outcome
The sampling data will be used to develop a risk-based evaluation that DEQ, in coordination with the Coeur d’Alene Lake Advisory Committee and other project stakeholders, will rely on to make decisions about future health evaluations or mitigation activities.
A final report is expected in 2026.
Wolf Lodge Creek Improvement Project
Project Sponsor:
Kootenai Shoshone Soil and Water Conservation District
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to restore 6,000 feet of riparian vegetation along two separate sections of Wolf Lodge Creek to reduce lateral streambank erosion and reestablish habitat for Westslope Cutthroat Trout. As part of the project, the Kootenai Shoshone Soil and Water Conservation District plans to work with the private landowner and contractor to replace a rusted culvert currently located on a tributary to lower Wolf Lodge Creek and stabilize adjacent streambanks. Willow planting started in 2023 and will continue through the end of the year.
This project continues nine years of restoration efforts in the Wolf Lodge Watershed. Learn more about these efforts and many others on the Restoration Partnership web page.
Funding
This project was awarded $158,337 from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Status
Work on one of two sections along Wolf Lodge Creek is complete. Willow planting took place in the fall of 2023 and monitoring will continue in this area throughout the project. Fencing to keep livestock from entering a section of the creek has been installed. Culvert work and additional willow planting will take place in 2024.
Outcome
This project is expected to reduce phosphorus loads to Coeur d’Alene Lake by approximately 94 pounds annually.
Schlagel Draw Sediment Management Project
Project Sponsor
Kootenai Shoshone Soil and Water Conservation District
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to prevent sediment runoff into Cataldo Slough from South Schlagel Road, which is upstream from the slough. The Kootenai Shoshone Soil and Water Conservation District has been working with a landowner along the road to establish what is known as a depositional area, which is a site where sediment can accumulate rather than flow into nearby water bodies. To create this area, the conservation district is helping the landowner construct several water control structures in the creek drainage.
This project also aims to increase shade and wildlife habitat on a seasonal creek to increase year-round flow, an effort known as stream permanence.
Funding
This project was awarded $24,293 from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Status
This project is complete, though there is opportunity to do more work in this area. Staff will monitor water levels throughout the duration of the project.
Outcome
This project is expected to reduce phosphorus loads to Coeur d’Alene Lake by approximately 10 pounds annually.
North Fork Coeur d’Alene Riverbank Stabilization Project
Project Sponsor
Kootenai Shoshone Soil and Water Conservation District
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to reduce streambank erosion on the North Fork Coeur d’Alene River. The Kootenai Shoshone Soil and Water Conservation District is working with landowners near Prichard, Idaho, to stabilize 100 linear feet of eroding streambank with bioengineered techniques. The district will also provide project engineering, oversight, and certification support to ensure proper installation.
Funding
This project was awarded $44,027 from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Status
Construction on this project was completed during summer 2023. Future monitoring will evaluate the bioengineering success and document the amount of vegetative survival and growth.
Outcome
This project is expected to reduce phosphorus loads to Coeur d’Alene Lake by approximately 12 pounds annually.
Santa-Fernwood Wastewater Reuse Project
Project Sponsor
Santa-Fernwood Water and Sewer District
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to construct a reclaimed water system in the communities of Santa and Fernwood, Idaho, to decrease nutrient loads in Coeur d’Alene Lake. The project is jointly managed by the Fernwood Water and Sewer District and Santa Water and Sewer District and will involve acquiring land and constructing a water system, which will provide reclaimed water for agricultural/silvicultural purposes.
Funding
This project was awarded $7.01 million from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Status
Land has been acquired for the reuse portion of this project. The water reuse system is still in the preliminary design phase.
Outcome
This project is expected to reduce phosphorus loads to Coeur d’Alene Lake by approximately 660 pounds annually.
Page Wastewater Treatment Plant Tertiary Treatment System
Project Sponsor
South Fork Coeur d’Alene River Sewer District
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to install a tertiary treatment system at the Page Wastewater Treatment Plant. The facility currently treats most of the wastewater in the Silver Valley from Kingston to Wallace (excluding Smelterville), serving a population of 7,055.
Funding
This project was awarded $17 million from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Status
The South Fork Sewer District began a proof pilot for selected phosphorus removal and solids handling technologies in April to capture spring runoff and evaluate warm weather operation. Testing conducted at the end of July evaluated metals and phosphorus removal.
A construction bid for a geotechnical improvement project to install aggregate piers for the soil treatment facilities was approved and work has started.
The 60% design of the solids contact clarifier and control facility, completed in May, will be used to preprocure solids contact clarification equipment and a pre-engineered metal building to house the pumps, controls, and chemical feed. Read the full status update here.
Outcome
This project is expected to reduce current phosphorus loading to the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River by 7,015 pounds annually.
St. Joe River Basin Nutrient Source Inventory
Project Sponsor
Coeur d’Alene Tribe
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to evaluate phosphorus loading from streams and rivers that discharge into the southern end of Coeur d’Alene Lake. This information will help set priorities for future nutrient reduction efforts.
The Coeur d’Alene Tribe is leading this study, which is based on a recommendation from the 2022 National Academies of Sciences report recommendation. The study will be conducted over two years and include 35 monitoring locations in the St. Joe and St. Maries River Basins, and Benewah, Lake, and Plummer Creeks. Together, these water bodies contribute an estimated 80 tons of phosphorus into the lake each year, accounting for almost 40% of the total phosphorus load.
Funding
This project was awarded $1.2 million from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Status
The Coeur d’Alene Tribe hired a hydrologist for this project and is looking to hire two additional hydrologic technicians.
Outcome
Upon completion of the study, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe will develop a nutrient management action plan for these watersheds. A final report on nutrient loading is expected in late 2025.
Coeur d’Alene Lake Science Coordination Team
Project Sponsor
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality is sponsoring the facilitation of the Science Coordination Team (SCT), with participation from the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and University of Idaho.
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to establish a technical team that will further the scientific understanding of Coeur d’Alene Lake, including influences from the surrounding basin and the Spokane River. The goal is to incorporate and build upon recommendations from the National Academies of Sciences 2022 review and analysis of Coeur d’Alene Lake. This effort aims to advance/provide scientific knowledge to support resource management decisions that protect public health, ecological health, beneficial uses, and cultural uses.
Funding
This project was awarded $150,000 from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative. This initial funding will support the facilitation and development of the SCT for the first three years. The SCT is anticipated to extend beyond three years, but operations are contingent upon long-term funding.
Outcome
The SCT will produce a report identifying scientific priorities for Coeur d’Alene Lake and will annually update progress towards those objectives. The SCT will also facilitate the development of a basin-wide integrated trend analysis, which will be done in coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s five-year review of cleanup activities in the Coeur d’Alene Basin.
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Northside Stormwater Drainage Improvements (Sunnyside Road)
Project Sponsor
East Side Highway District
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to rebuild and pave approximately 24,000 square feet of gravel outside the city of Coeur d’Alene on Sunnyside Road, between Bonnell and Yellowstone Roads. This project will also line the roadside ditches with riprap to prevent future erosion and sediment discharge and install small check dams within roadside ditches to reduce stormwater flow velocity. These improvements will decrease sediment discharge to Coeur d’Alene Lake at Blue Creek Bay and improve travel for the community.
Funding
This project was awarded $643,840 from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Status
This project has one layer of chip and seal left before completion. This will occur spring 2024.
Outcome
This project is expected to decrease phosphorus loading from sediment discharge into Coeur d’Alene Lake at Blue Creek Bay and improve travel for the community.
Kellogg Joint School District #391 Stormwater Improvements
Project Sponsor
Kellogg Joint School District #391
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to manage stormwater at the Kellogg Joint School District #391 24-acre middle school and administrative annex campus. The project involves re-grading solid surfaces of parking lots and access roads, removing parking islands, adding bioswales, and replacing some hard surfaces with pervious pavement options.
These improvements are expected to treat up to 90% of the stormwater entering the school campus and reduce phosphorus loads into the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River. Construction will be completed during the summer of 2024.
Funding
This project was awarded $745,000 from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Status
Alta Science & Engineering is preparing a bid package for summer construction. The package will be open to receive bids in March 2024.
Outcome
This project is expected to reduce phosphorus loads to the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River by 41 pounds annually.
City of Kellogg Stormwater Management Upgrades (Phases 1, 2, and 3)
Project Sponsor
City of Kellogg
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to improve stormwater management at the city of Kellogg’s stormwater outfalls.
This project includes several phases. In Phase 1, the city will work to improve stormwater management at the city of Kellogg’s stormwater outfalls—the point of discharge into a stream, river, or other water body—at Hill Street, Bunker Creek, and North Kellogg. By reducing the amount of stormwater that flows through these outfalls, the city aims to reduce the volume of metals, phosphorus, and other pollutants that eventually enter Coeur d’Alene Lake via the Coeur d’Alene River. The outfall upgrade at Bunker Creek will also add additional greenspace to the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes.
In Phase 2, the city plans to address stormwater at Government Gulch by restoring and improving swales and ponds for better stormwater retention. The city will also focus on work in Southeast Kellogg, including upgrading existing stormwater channels, sediment basins, and dry wells. This phase includes the purchase of a vacuum truck to clean out stormwater systems.
The vacuum truck has been delivered and is being used by city staff to perform much-needed stormwater maintenance activities.
After addressing known stormwater needs, the city will utilize Phase 3 to identify remaining needs and implement improvements to the stormwater management system. This funding will allow the city to conduct a comprehensive assessment, document areas in need of installation upgrades, and select the most cost-effective technologies to mitigate stormwater runoff.
Funding
This project received the following awards from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative:
- Phase 1: $570,000
- Phase 2: $1.1 million
- Phase 3: $670,000
Status
Phase 1 – The three project areas, including Bunker Creek Bioswale, South Hill Street Continuous Deflective Separation structure, and North Hill Street inlet modification and filters are complete.
Phase 2 – The vacuum truck has been delivered and is now in use. All other Phase 2 activities are in the planning and design stage with construction projected to occur this summer.
Phase 3 – Investigative and work is scheduled to occur this summer.
Outcome
This project is estimated to reduce phosphorus inputs to the Coeur d’Alene River by over 700 pounds annually.
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Coeur d’Alene Stormwater Volume Reduction Project
Project Sponsor
City of Coeur d’Alene
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to install stormwater storage and filter systems at Independence Point, Sanders Beach, and along Mullan Avenue in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. These management strategies will help divert stormwater runoff from existing discharge points, also known as outfalls, in the urban drainage areas and serve as opportunities to share water quality information with the community.
Stormwater runoff pollutants from yards, sidewalks, and streets eventually flow into storm drains that discharge directly to Coeur d’Alene Lake in these neighborhoods. Two Sanders Beach outfalls collect runoff from 76 acres, and the East Mullan outfall drains 13 acres of area. The Independence Point outfall conveys runoff from 131 acres to the lake. Without stormwater management installations, pet and wildlife waste, vehicle fluid, any fertilizer not taken up by lawns and gardens, and anything that may spill onto sidewalks, gutters, alleys, and streets in these areas flows into Coeur d’Alene Lake untreated. This project redirects runoff through a variety of filtration systems and, barring high precipitation or snowmelt events, prevents this surface runoff from reaching the lake.
Even with these management measures in place, it is important for residents and visitors to be mindful about daily habits such as fertilizer use and waste disposal. Less pollution to capture and filter means less maintenance time and cost. Additionally, even filtration systems can be overwhelmed, increasing possibility that phosphorus and other pollutants in stormwater can reach Coeur d’Alene Lake.
Funding
This project was awarded $1.4 million from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Status
The Sanders Beach and Mullan Avenue outfalls are complete. Work on Independence Point starts in spring 2024.
Outcome
This project is expected to reduce phosphorus loads to Coeur d’Alene Lake by approximately 280 pounds annually. The estimated phosphorus load reductions for each drainage area are as follows:
- Sanders Beach: 140 pounds of phosphorus/year
- Mullan Avenue: 20 pounds of phosphorus/year
- Independence Point: 120 pounds of phosphorus/year
Northside Stormwater Drainage Improvements (Marmot Trail Road)
Project Sponsor
East Side Highway District
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to improve drainage systems along Marmot Trail Road, which includes approximately 3,600 feet of asphalt along a steep gradient. Managing erosion will reduce discharge into the north end of Coeur d’Alene Lake.
Funding
This project was awarded $14,100 from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Status
This project is complete.
Outcome
This project is expected to decrease phosphorus loading and sediment discharge from soil erosion that flows from stormwater into Coeur d’Alene Lake near the Silver Beach Marina.
Mica Creek Watershed Agricultural Sediment Reduction and Improvement Project (Phase 2)
Project Sponsor
Kootenai Shoshone Soil and Water Conservation District
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to stabilize 1,600 feet of streambank on Mica Creek, a tributary to Coeur d’Alene Lake, by removing collapsed vegetation, armoring the banks, and replanting willows to prevent further erosion. These upgrades will help reduce sediment and phosphorus loads to Coeur d’Alene Lake. This project is expected to be completed by summer 2024.
Funding
This project was awarded $49,000 from Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative.
Status
This project is complete.
Outcome
This project is estimated to reduce phosphorus loads to Coeur d’Alene Lake by 50 pounds annually.