Land of 10,000 Dying Lakes: Designing for Sustainable Water Management Through Wetland Conservation and Public Recreation
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Abstract
In 2017, 169 harmful algal blooms were reported nation-wide.
Existing in all water body types, saltwater or freshwater, this
number is increasing every year, and Minnesota is no exception.
In the land of 10,000 lakes, 48 different locations have
experienced a Harmful Algae Bloom at least once over the
last decade. Growing not only in frequency, but also size, the
presence of these Cyanobacteria blooms are killing aquatic
species, lowering water quality, limiting recreational use, and
in some cases producing toxins capable of killing humans and
animals that come into contact with the water.
Due to global warming, the average temperature of our water
bodies continue to rise. This, paired with excessive runoff that
is polluted with fertilizers and chemicals, creates a perfect
opportunity for these harmful blooms to flourish.
This study will focus on a strategy to mitigate the environmental
damage caused by nutrient dense runoff through environmental
planning. Using geospatial and hydraulic data for the drainage
area, in conjunction with varying case studies and wetland
research, the result will provide a plan for wetland restoration
and future protection, with sustainable runoff management,
in a public recreation setting. The final design will seamlessly
combine project programming into a re-envisioned runoff
management system.