Help Improve Bass Lake Water Quality in Plymouth

Plymouth is inviting homeowners around Bass Lake’s shoreline to join in on an initiative aimed at improving the water quality in the lake. Residents of selected properties will receive grant funding for professionally designed plantings installed along their lakeshore.

Since 2008 the city has implemented a number of projects designed to reduce the amount of nutrients flowing into Bass Lake. Enhanced street sweeping and rain gardens are some of the measures Plymouth has taken over the past few years.

Collaborating with homeowners to protect their shorelines with well-designed plantings is another step to protect Bass Lake. Wave action, ice buildup and wind all batter the shore of a lake and cause erosion. After a while, that erosion adds sediment and nutrients to the lake and robs the property owner of valuable lakeshore.

Turf grass is not up to the task of protecting the shore from the erosion. Replacing lawn with hardy, deep-rooted shoreline plantings creates a buffer to withstand the forces that cause erosion. At the same time, the plants slow down, reduce and clean the runoff from the upland property. “Plymouth has had similar programs on other lakes in the city,” said Water Resources Manager Derek Asche. “The projects are designed to do more than protect water quality,” Asche added. “They can become a pleasing landscaping element that enhances the beauty of the lake for the residents.”  

To learn more about the Bass Lake shoreline restoration grant opportunity, call Kevin at 763-509-5527. For information on planting for clean water go to plymouthmn.gov/greenup.

(Information provided by a city of Plymouth press release.)