Aquatic Biology – East Metro Water

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.

Finding frozen frogs

By: angiehongmn December 19, 2025December 16, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Wildlifefeatured, fish, frogs, lakes, Minnesota, salt, turtles, winter1 Comment

When the snow falls and lakes freeze over, Minnesota’s wildlife employ a variety of adaptations to stay alive.

Try chicken grit as an eco-friendly alternative to salt

By: angiehongmn December 5, 2025December 1, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanchicken grit, chloride, featured, salt, winterLeave a Comment

One way that homeowners, businesses, HOAs, and community organizations can help to reduce water pollution from winter salt is by using chicken grit as a no-salt alternative.

Beaver Love: A new initiative aims to help beavers and people co-exist in harmony

By: angiehongmn November 28, 2025November 25, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Partners and Updates, Wildlifebeavers, featured, forests, lakes, Washington County, WetlandsLeave a Comment

Last winter, Andy Riesgraf and Emily Fairfax teamed up to establish Beaver Innovations LLC, a UMN start-up company that is focused on finding ways to help beavers and people coexist in harmony.

The duo’s first three beaver co-existence projects are located in Washington County at the Big Marine Park Reserve expansion site and Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, made possible by funding from Pollinator Friendly Alliance’s biodiversity project.

a boat on the Mississippi River near Lake City

Fish, with a side of anti-depressant?

By: angiehongmn November 18, 2025November 4, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Wildlifefeatured, fish, fishing, medications, pharmaceuticals, Septic Systems, wastewater, water pollutionLeave a Comment

How and why are chemicals like estrone, DEET, cocaine, antidepressants, oxycodone, and veterinary antibiotics ending up in our lakes and rivers?

Cattails to the rescue?

By: angiehongmn November 7, 2025November 3, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatescattails, chloride, featured, invasive species, phosphorusLeave a Comment

Could cattails help to solve phosphorus and chloride pollution in some of our lakes and wetlands? A new pilot initiative led by the South Washington Watershed District (SWWD) aims to find out.

Subtle signs of a changing climate

By: angiehongmn October 10, 2025October 7, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanalgae blooms, bluegreen algae, Carver Lake, climate change, cyanobacteria, featured, lakes, Minnesota, ramsey washington metro watershed district, south washington watershed district, Washington Conservation District, WoodburyLeave a Comment

Bluegreen algae blooms have become more prevalent in urban lakes, as well as in pristine northern lakes including Lake Itasca, the Boundary Waters, and Quetico Wilderness Area.

Meet our 2025 Natural Shoreline Award winners!

We are excited to announce the winners of our inaugural 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.

Flowers bloom in the shadow of a great white bear

By: angiehongmn September 5, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Local Achievements, Partners and Updatesfeatured, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, Minnesota lakes, rice creek watershed district, Washington Conservation District, water conservation, White Bear Lake, wildlife habitat1 Comment

White Bear is a lake with a storied past. At 2438 acres, it is the second largest lake in the Twin Cities metro, and its history features a legendary fight with a giant bear, steamships, gangsters, famous authors, legal battles, and even an amusement park. Recently, efforts led by the Washington Conservation District have focused on improving habitat and reducing stormwater runoff from small communities located along the southeast shore of the lake.