Aquatic Biology – East Metro Water

Caddisfly prints and bird costumes bring creativity to annual Brown’s Creek event

By: angiehongmn September 18, 2026

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatesaquatic macroinvertebrates, birds, Brown's Creek, Brown's Creek Watershed District, caddisfly, featured, Sustainable Stillwater MNLeave a Comment

When Brown’s Creek Watershed District hosts its annual Community Watershed Celebration & Bird Festival this Saturday (10am-1pm at Brown’s Creek Park in Stillwater), visitors will have the opportunity to take home something unique that they may not be expecting – their very own handmade caddisfly print.

If you really, really love birds, you can even dress up as your favorite bird and enter the second annual Bird Costume Contest. Costumes of all skill levels are welcome, from simple DIY outfits to elaborate feathered creations.

In addition to bug prints and bird costumes, the festival will include interactive stations led by local conservation groups, crafts, games, and interactive experiences designed to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. The event is free and easy to get to by bike, on foot, or by car.

Meet our 2026 Natural Shoreline Award winners!

We are excited to announce the winners of our 2026 Natural Shoreline Awards, sponsored by the East Metro Water Resource Education Program and Lower St. Croix Watershed Partnership. These awards recognize Minnesotans who are protecting lake, stream, and wetland habitat in Chisago, Isanti, Ramsey and Washington Counties.

Big waves, big problems?

By: angiehongmn August 17, 2026

Aquatic Biologyadventure, boating, featured, lakes, Minnesota, nature, outdoor recreation, wake sportsLeave a Comment

Wake-surfing and wakeboarding have grown in popularity in recent years, leading many people to worry about the possible impacts to Minnesota lakes.

Lake associations and communities in Minnesota are considering a variety of approaches, including education and outreach, community engagement, monitoring, voluntary guidelines, and local policy.

Plants tell the story of a lake in recovery

By: angiehongmn July 23, 2026July 16, 2026

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatesaquatic plants, Brown's Creek Watershed District, featured, featuresd, lake restoration, Long Lake, Stillwater, stormwaterLeave a Comment

Between 1970 and 2002, Long Lake in Stillwater experienced a slow decline caused by farming, development, and stormwater runoff. Since then, the Brown’s Creek Watershed District, City of Stillwater, and local landowners have completed more that 100 projects to restore the lake to good health.

Millions of mayflies

By: angiehongmn July 10, 2026July 7, 2026

Aquatic Biology, Wildlifefeatured, fishing, mayflies, Minnesota, Mississippi River, St. Croix RiverLeave a Comment

There are more than 3000 species of mayflies worldwide and Minnesota is home to 105. Two – the Hexagenia bilineata and Hexagenia limbata – have synchronized hatches and can form swarms so large they actually show up on local weather radars.

Grimy green, or clear and clean?

By: angiehongmn June 14, 2026June 13, 2026

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanbluegreen algae, featured, lakes, Minnesota lakesLeave a Comment

Bluegreen algae in lakes are fed by phosphorus and can sometimes grow out of control when the weather gets hot. Lakes with elevated levels of chloride (salt) are also more likely to experience algae blooms.

Preserving Minnesota fishing tales for generations to come

By: angiehongmn May 15, 2026May 11, 2026

Aquatic Biology, Outdoor Adventures, UncategorizedAIS, featured, fishing, lakes, Minnesota, spiny waterflea, zebra musselsLeave a Comment

I don’t think it’s much of an exaggeration to say that fishing saved my family during the summer of 2021 when we navigated yet another summer of COVID with no day care and only a few weeks of camp. That summer was Minnesota at its quintessential, and in spite of chaos in the world, life was pretty good.

May 9, 2026 marks the beginning of another year’s fishing season, and with luck, many children just like Charlie will be making lifelong memories. As Minnesotans hit the water with fishing poles and boats, a well-trained team of watercraft inspectors, conservation officers, and even K9 officers will also be rolling out to lakes and rivers to help keep them safe from aquatic invasive species (AIS).

How long is forever? Understanding PFAS (aka. Forever Chemicals) and their local impacts

By: angiehongmn April 3, 2026March 31, 2026

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatesfeatured, fishing, forever chemicals, PFAS, water pollutionLeave a Comment

This March, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) issued updated fish consumption advisories for several lakes and rivers statewide that are impacted by mercury and PFAS.

Would you like to learn more about PFAS and its local impacts? Freshwater and the East Metro Water Education Program will co-host an info session for volunteers and local residents on Wednesday, April 8 (6-8pm) at the Oakdale Discovery Center. Dr. Ali Ling of the University of St. Thomas will speak and there will also be time for questions and conversation. Register at minnesotawaterstewards.org/pfas.

The Secret Lives of Dragonflies

By: angiehongmn March 23, 2026

Aquatic Biology, Wildlifedamselfly, dragonfly, featured, insects, lakesLeave a Comment

Though most people think of dragonflies as terrestrial flying insects, they actually spend most of their lives in the water. Learn how to spot a baby dragonfly the next time you’re by the water.