Partners and Updates – 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.

Lake Phalen: 2026 Natural Shoreline Award Winner

By: angiehongmn August 26, 2026September 1, 2026

Keeping water clean, Local Achievements, Partners and Updates, Uncategorized, Wildlife, Yards and Landscapingenvironment, habitat restoration, Lake Phalen, lakeshore, Minnesota, native plants, nature, ramsey washington metro watershed district, shorelines, St. Paul1 Comment

With nearly two miles of restored shoreline, statuesque oak woodlands, and multiple ways for the public to access and enjoy the lake, the Lake Phalen shoreline in St. Paul is a showcase example for any city in Minnesota to aspire to. It is also one of the largest and most successful shoreline restorations in the upper Midwest.

Lost Lake: 2026 Natural Shoreline Award Winner

By: angiehongmn August 26, 2026

Keeping water clean, Local Achievements, Partners and Updates, Wildlife, Yards and Landscapinghabitat restoration, lakeshore, Mahtomedi, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, native plants, rice creek watershed district, shorelines, Washington Conservation District1 Comment

At Wildwood Park in Mahtomedi, there is a baseball field, a playground, and a fishing pier on a secluded lake, surrounded by massive oak trees. Near the water’s edge, bumblebees buzz happily among bee balm, dotted blazingstar, black-eyed susans, and great blue lobelia. The lake is dappled with lilies with giant white flowers, like a Monet painting come to life.

Five years in, the Lower St. Croix Watershed Partnership makes strides toward cleaner lakes and rivers

By: angiehongmn July 31, 2026July 28, 2026

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatesconservation, featured, nature, St. Croix RiverLeave a Comment

The Lower St. Croix Watershed Partnership includes 15 local government partners in Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Pine and Washington Counties who are working collaboratively to improve the St. Croix River, as well as local lakes and streams.

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.

Twenty-six local projects to receive funding from Minnesota’s 3M settlement agreement

By: angiehongmn July 17, 2026July 14, 2026

Groundwater, Keeping water clean, Partners and Updates, Uncategorized3M, Dakota County, featured, fishing, Mississippi River, outdoor recreation, parks and trails, PFAS, ramsey county, Washington CountyLeave a Comment

Twenty-six east metro projects will receive a total of $20 million in funding from a 2018 settlement agreement. These projects are intended to improve local lakes, rivers, and streams, restore wildlife habitat, and add new fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities.

A view from above tells stories of people and water

By: angiehongmn May 8, 2026May 5, 2026

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatesart, artist residency, clean water, drones, featured, lakes, photography, south washington watershed district, stormwater, WoodburyLeave a Comment

Over the past year, Taylor Mills has been working with the South Washington Watershed District to document water and habitat restoration projects across the watershed, from Woodbury to Grey Cloud Island. She is a Minnesota-born video, photo, and drone professional who specializes in cinematic storytelling that is filmed from above.

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.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency launches new SMART salt module for rural communities

By: angiehongmn January 31, 2026January 29, 2026

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updates, Uncategorizedchloride pollution, featured, Minnesota, MPCA, rural roads, salt, winterLeave a Comment

Road maintenance in rural communities like Grant and Stillwater Township is significantly different than in larger cities like Oakdale and Woodbury. A new rural roads training module aims to help small communities stretch their limited public works budgets while also protecting local lakes and streams from salt and sediment pollution.