One growing concern for urban lakes and streams is pollution from winter road salt. Currently, there are 50 lakes and streams in Minnesota that are listed as impaired due to elevated chlorides and another 75 that are “nearly” impaired.
Read More
All articles filed in Aquatic Biology
Brown’s Creek Watershed District Receives Two National Awards in 2020
This fall, the Brown’s Creek Watershed District will receive awards from the American Water Resources Association and the Water Environment Federation for long-term work to protect Brown’s Creek.
Read More
Brown’s Creek Watershed District to work with Oak Glen Golf Course on a new Clean Water project
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.
Read More
Green days on a summer lake – and that’s not a good thing
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.
Read More
Dead fish and green water?
Explanations for recent phenomena observed in Forest Lake In recent weeks, several people have contacted the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) to report fish kills and algal growth observed in Forest Lake. Read on to learn what’s behind these recent phenomena. Fish Kill: After conversation with the Minnesota DNR, watershed district staff have concluded…
Read More
Rumor has it there’s a rumor in town
Tanners Lake is part of the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD), and the district has worked hard to improve and protect water quality in the lake over the past 20 years. In fact, Tanners was one of the first lakes in Minnesota to be removed from the state’s impaired waters list (in 2004) after phosphorus levels went down and algae stopped being a problem.
Read More
Meandering in the woods
There is an art to meandering in the woods. For Trout Brook and other naturalized streams, the “wiggles” allow for different types of habitat that fish need.
Sometimes people need a pause to wander in the woods as well.
Read More
Help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species while fishing and boating this season
Last weekend, Minnesota’s 2020 fishing season opened with a bang. There was snow up north, only a few fish caught in the St. Croix River, and no cameo appearances from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. None-the-less, record numbers of Minnesotans purchased fishing licenses last week and set sail in search of walleye, pike, and lake trout…
Read More
Lending a helping hand to Afton’s Trout Brook
South Washington Watershed District partners with Great River Greening and Vail Resorts A coldwater stream flows through the hills of Afton Alps and Afton State Park, bringing life to a valley in the woods. Over the past 150 years, Trout Brook has weathered the rise and fall of logging in region, decades of farming, and…
Read More
Big change for a little lake
Watershed tour highlights projects on Shields Lake Once upon a time, a handsome prince ruled over the Kingdom of Bohemia. Within his family’s estates, Prince Schwarzenberg had elegant palaces, imposing castles, and 20,000 acres of carp ponds. The hardy fish were a symbol of opulent wealth and provided a steady source of delicious, nourishing food…
Read More