East Metro Water

New rule restricts nitrogen fertilizer application after Sept. 1

By: angiehongmn October 15, 2020October 9, 2020

Groundwater, Partners and Updatesdrinking water, farming, featured, fertilizer, groundwater, groundwater contamination, nitratesLeave a Comment

Beginning September 1, 2020, Part 1 of the Groundwater Protection Rule goes into effect, restricting the application of nitrogen fertilizer in the fall and on frozen soils in areas with vulnerable groundwater. It applies to approximately 12-13% of Minnesota’s cropland and nearly half of the land in Washington County.

Tamarack Nature Preserve Park & Boardwalk Reopening Celebration

By: angiehongmn October 10, 2020October 9, 2020

Outdoor Adventures, Partners and Updates, Uncategorizedfeatured, parks and trails, ramsey washington metro watershed district, rich fen, Tamarack Nature Preserve, tamarack trees, Wetlands, Woodbury1 Comment

Smack dab in the middle of bustling, suburban Woodbury, the Tamarack Nature Preserve is a hidden gem containing the southern-most tamarack swamp in Minnesota. A community event Oct. 16-18 will include a virtual tour and water pollution mystery game.

Fall yard care reminders and tips

By: angiehongmn September 28, 2020

Yards and Landscapingfall, featured, gardening, lawns, leaves, pollinatorsLeave a Comment

Harvest the last of your tomatoes and herbs now before they’re killed by an overnight freeze. Wait to cut down old stems and seed heads until the late spring. Instead of raking leaves, mow your lawn a few times to mulch up the leaves and return nutrients to the soil. If you live on a lake, be sure that you hire a DNR certified contractor to remove your dock this fall.

Explore the Brown’s Creek Watershed with a virtual tour and scavenger hunt

By: angiehongmn September 24, 2020

Outdoor Adventures, Partners and Updatesbiking, Brown's Creek State Trail, Brown's Creek, Brown's Creek Watershed District, environmental education, family fun, featured, kids activities, scavenger hunt1 Comment

This fall, Brown’s Creek Watershed District is offering a virtual tour and scavenger hunt to highlight some of the historical features, natural wonders, and stream-improvement projects along the route.

Transformation underway at Lake Elmo Park Reserve

By: angiehongmn September 18, 2020

Buckthorn, Partners and Updates, Wildlifefeatured, goats, habitat restoration, Lake Elmo, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, oak savanna, prairie, Washington Conservation District, Washington County, Washington County ParksLeave a Comment

Washington County secured funding through the Outdoor Heritage Fund to restore and improve 166 acres of prairie and oak savanna at Lake Elmo Park Reserve around Eagle Point Lake and in the north end of the park.

Campus greening projects planned for Valley Crossing and Crestview Elementary Schools

By: angiehongmn September 11, 2020September 11, 2020

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updates, Water Conservationcampus greening, Cottage Grove, environmental education, featured, habitat restoration, south washington watershed district, WoodburyLeave a Comment

At Valley Crossing in Woodbury, the school will convert 3.7 acres of turf to oak savanna and revitalize 7.15 acres of existing prairie on site. Crestview Elementary in Cottage Grove will restore 10 acres of degraded woodlands on campus and convert several areas of unused turf to prairie as well. The project is a partnership between South Washington Watershed District and South Washington County School District 833.

Debate over Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 oil pipeline floats quietly through the St. Croix River Valley

By: angiehongmn September 3, 2020September 3, 2020

Keeping water cleanAnishinaabe, Enbridge, featured, Line 3, Mississippi River, MPCA, St. Croix River, water qualityLeave a Comment

Since Aug. 5, Relay for Our Water participants have been transporting water from the Mississippi River headwaters through the state to protest construction of the Line 3 oil pipeline.

Brown’s Creek Watershed District to work with Oak Glen Golf Course on a new Clean Water project

By: angiehongmn August 27, 2020August 27, 2020

Aquatic Biology, Groundwater, Keeping water clean, Partners and Updates, Water ConservationBrown's Creek, Brown's Creek Watershed District, featured, stormwater pollution, stormwater reuse, stream restoration, troutLeave a Comment

There are three main goals for the Oak Glen stormwater reuse project. The first is to keep warm stormwater out of Brown’s Creek. The second is to keep phosphorus and sediment out of Brown’s Creek and the St. Croix River. In addition, this project will allow Oak Glen Golf Course to reduce the amount of groundwater it pumps for irrigation.

Green days on a summer lake – and that’s not a good thing

By: angiehongmn August 21, 2020August 20, 2020

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanalgae, algae blooms, featured, phosphorus, stormwater pollution, Woodbury1 Comment

Algae blooms in Carver Lake and other urban lakes are usually caused by too much phosphorus flowing into the water from sidewalks, streets, and parking lots.

Help to keep our lakes blue by sweeping dirt and yard waste off of your sidewalk, driveway and curb-line throughout the year and adopting your local storm drain: http://www.adopt-a-drain.org.

A crack in the rock & a beach in the forest

By: angiehongmn August 14, 2020August 13, 2020

Groundwater, Outdoor Adventuresfeatured, groundwater, hiking with kids, native plants, nature, Scientific and Natural Areas, streamsLeave a Comment

Crystal Spring Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) in Scandia was established just four years ago. It contains a crystalline spring that pours out of the side of a rock wall, deep in an emerald chasm.