Usually, algae and aquatic plants are merely a nuisance, but sometimes a form of cyanobacteria known as blue-green algae can bloom and release toxins that make humans and animals sick.
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All articles filed in Aquatic Biology
A Martha Stewart Guide to Lake Water Quality
Three variables – water clarity, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll – are combined to create a metric known as a trophic state index.
A few years back, Jerry Spetzman began noticing that the color of the algae samples on a white filter corresponded almost perfectly with the lakes’ overall water quality.
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Can that baby dragon fly?
Most people consider dragonflies and damselflies to be terrestrial flying insects, but in fact, they spend more than half of their lives in the water.
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Breaking Eurasian watermilfoil’s stranglehold on Minnesota Lakes
Researchers and lake associations search for new ways to control this aggressive invasive species. Meanwhile, watercraft inspections remain the first line of defense in preventing the spread of AIS.
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Intersex fish and cocaine shrimp
Scientists lay the blame for these strange phenomena on endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pharmaceutical compounds, such as pesticides, medications, and even common household products like shampoo.
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New fish barrier will keep carp out of Forest Lake
This February, CLFLWD replaced an old, dilapidated fish barrier on the northwest side of Forest Lake, where the lake outlets to the Sunrise River to prevent carp and other rough fish from migrating into Forest Lake.
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Tracking the health of lakes in Washington County
During 2020, Washington Conservation District monitored water quality on 71 lakes in Washington County. Here’s what recent data tell us about five local lakes.
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What do bugs have to do with it?
One of the best measures of stream health is the amount and biodiversity of macroinvertebrates we can find in the water.
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Frozen fish and salty toes
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.
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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.
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East Metro Water 