Keeping water clean – Page 5

When Development Comes to Town

By: angiehongmn January 18, 2024January 16, 2024

Keeping water cleanconservation development, development, featured, stormwater1 Comment

Washington and Anoka Counties are two of the top ten fastest growing counties in Minnesota, and Isanti is close behind at number eleven. There was a 28% increase in property values in northern Washington County in 2022, and, according to the Star Tribune, the cities of Lake Elmo (1), Lindstrom (2), Cambridge (5), and Stillwater (9) are among the hottest housing markets in the state. What tools exist to help small towns grow in a way that protects natural resources and maintains a sense of community?

Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District recognized as 2023 Watershed District of the Year

By: angiehongmn December 29, 2023December 22, 2023

Keeping water clean, Partners and UpdatesCarnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District, featured, St Croix River, Washington CountyLeave a Comment

In 2023, CMSCWD launched a comprehensive lakeshore protection and restoration program for the ten most popular lakes in the watershed district, developed stormwater treatment projects for Big Carnelian and Big Marine Lakes, and began planning for a future restoration project on Mill Stream in Marine on St. Croix.

As cities work to reduce their salt use, more action is still needed to protect water resources

By: angiehongmn December 7, 2023December 5, 2023

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanchloride, featured, Minnesota, salt, winterLeave a Comment

Communities across the Twin Cities are currently waging a battle against time, as they work to curb the flow of salt into lakes, rivers, streams and groundwater before it’s too late.

Minnesota water – some getting better, some getting worse

By: angiehongmn November 27, 2023

Keeping water clean, Local Achievementscomfort lake - forest lake watershed district, featured, impaired waters, Maplewood, ramsey washington metro watershed district, restored lakes, rice creek watershed district, Scandia, south washington watershed districtLeave a Comment

In the Twin Cities east metro, improving lakes that are set to be “de-listed” include Bone Lake – Scandia (Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District); White Rock Lake – Scandia, Bald Eagle Lake – White Bear Township, and Golden Lake – Circle Pines (Rice Creek Watershed District); La Lake – Woodbury (South Washington Watershed District); and Kohlman Lake – Maplewood (Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District).

Two WCD staff members celebrate 20 years of watershed work in Washington County

By: angiehongmn November 9, 2023November 9, 2023

Keeping water clean, Partners and UpdatesBrowns Creek Watershed DIstrict, featured, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

Erik Anderson and Karen Kill have played lead roles in local watershed work during the past twenty years. What excites them most about their jobs and what changes have they seen in the past two decades?

Sunrise River wetland enhancement promises cleaner water downstream

By: angiehongmn November 2, 2023November 1, 2023

Keeping water clean, Local AchievementsChisago County, comfort lake - forest lake watershed district, featured, St. Croix River, Sunrise River, Wetlands1 Comment

In addition to reducing downstream flooding, the Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District project will also keep 89 pounds per year of phosphorus and 51,000 pounds per year of sediment out of the Sunrise River.

Living Large on a Small Lake – Exploring Natural Environment Lakes

By: angiehongmn October 26, 2023

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanfeatured, lakes, Minnesota lakes, shallow lakesLeave a Comment

As much as we like to focus on the biggest and the best, however, roughly 70% of Minnesota’s lakes are actually considered natural environment lakes, a shoreland classification that is generally applied to shallow lakes with limited capacity to absorb the impacts of development and recreational use.

Building resiliency, one garden at a time

By: angiehongmn September 12, 2023

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updates, Yards and Landscapingclimate resiliency, community forestry, featuredLeave a Comment

As community stewardship facilitators, Peterson and Maxfield will be working with homeowners’ associations, community groups, and local schools in Washington County.

Minnesota moves toward cleaner water, one storm drain at a time

By: angiehongmn August 24, 2023August 23, 2023

Keeping water cleanadopt a drain, featured, stormwater pollution, street sweeping, volunteerLeave a Comment

Communities roll out enhanced street sweeping programs and engage residents through Adopt-a-Drain.org to take a big bite out of urban stormwater pollution.

Is it safe to fish and swim?

By: angiehongmn August 18, 2023August 15, 2023

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanfeatured, fishing, impaired waters, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota lakes, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, swimming, water quality1 Comment

How can you determine if your favorite local lake is safe for fishing and swimming? Though water quality data is collected and updated regularly, finding the information online isn’t terribly intuitive.