Uncategorized – Page 2 – East Metro Water

State funds help to amplify the work of local government partners in the St. Croix Watershed

By: angiehongmn May 5, 2025May 2, 2025

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updates, UncategorizedClean Water Fund, featured, Minnesota, St. Croix RiverLeave a Comment

Nearly 8000 square miles of land in Minnesota and Wisconsin drains to the St. Croix River. Within this larger basin, 915 square miles of land on the Minnesota side is included in the Lower St. Croix watershed. This encompasses 127 lakes, over 1,000 miles of rivers and streams, and approximately 152,000 acres of wetlands.

In its first four years, the Lower St. Croix Watershed Partnership reduced phosphorus to local waterways by 10,959 pounds per year, which is nearly double what the group hoped to achieve over the course of its 10-year plan.

two hot air balloons touch down on a lake

Minnesota Lakes – What’s in a Name?

By: angiehongmn April 4, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Uncategorizedbeauty, featured, lakes, lifestyle, Minnesota lakes, nature, travelLeave a Comment

Minnesota is home to 200 Mud Lakes, 150 Long lakes, and 120 Rice lakes.

In addition to their actual names, the Minnesota DNR also assigns lakes a shoreland classification – natural environment, recreational development, or general development – that is used to guide lot size, setbacks, and land uses on surrounding properties.

An apple farmer by day, conservation champion for a lifetime

By: angiehongmn March 18, 2025March 18, 2025

Local Achievements, Partners and Updates, Uncategorizedapple orchards, Chisago County, Chisago Soil and Water Conservation District, farming, featured, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, soil and water conservationLeave a Comment

Over the course of his career, Jim Birkholz has supported SWCDs around the state, established a thriving family-run orchard, and helped to complete dozens of large-scale land and water protection efforts in Chisago County.

Likely Stories: A Photographic Journey through Climate Adaptations in the St. Croix Watershed

By: angiehongmn February 7, 2025February 7, 2025

Keeping water clean, Local Achievements, Uncategorized, Wildlifeart, climate change, climate resiliency, featured, nature, photography, St Croix River, St Croix Watershed Research Station, Washington Conservation District, wild rivers conservancy, WildlifeLeave a Comment

“Likely Stories,” the project that emerged, can best be described as a photographic journey through climate adaptations in the St. Croix Watershed. As part of this project, the artists seek to document the local impacts of climate change, such as black ash swamps, decimated by Emerald ash borer, tamarack “ghost forests,” algae blooms on the river and inland lakes, and future changes at the Allen S. King power plant. Equally important, they also hope to showcase examples of individuals, communities and organizations that are taking action to build climate resiliency.

Ice castles and cliffs plus heaves on my shore?

By: angiehongmn January 31, 2025

Uncategorizedfeatured, hiking, ice, Minnesota, nature, shorelines, travel, water, winter1 Comment

From ice castles to sculptures, and even scalable cliffs of ice, Minnesotans are adept at finding creative ways to have fun in the winter. What happens, though, when the dynamic power of ice wrecks havoc on shoreline properties?

Will derby ducks sail on a cleaner creek in 2025?

By: angiehongmn December 2, 2024December 2, 2024

Keeping water clean, Local Achievements, UncategorizedBayport, Clean Water Fund, conservation, environment, featured, middle st. croix watershed management organization, nature, news, Perro Creek, Washington Conservation District, WildlifeLeave a Comment

The City recently restored a 300ft stretch of degraded stream along 3rd Ave. N near Perro Park, in partnership with Middle St Croix Watershed Management Organization (MSCWMO) and the Washington Conservation District. The goal of the project is to stabilize the streambank, reduce the amount of sediment and phosphorus flowing downstream to the St. Croix River, and improve habitat along Perro Creek.

The Science of Leaves

By: angiehongmn November 21, 2024November 21, 2024

Keeping water clean, Uncategorizedfeatured, leaves, pohsphorus, stormwater, street sweeping1 Comment

Leaves are the primary source of organic matter in a woodland ecosystem and release essential nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen as they decompose. In urban and suburban environments, however, fall leaves can also be a major source of stormwater pollution.

Studies show street sweeping can reduce phosphorus concentrations in stormwater by up to 80%.

Heritage Brook Trout Return to Afton

By: angiehongmn October 4, 2024October 2, 2024

Aquatic Biology, Partners and Updates, Uncategorized, WildlifeAfton State Park, featured, fishing, Minnesota DNR, south washington watershed district, stream restoration, troutLeave a Comment

Next week, Trout Brook in Afton will welcome its very own community of heritage brookies, thanks to a multi-year effort to improve water quality and restore aquatic habitat.

Living on a Few Acres, Dozing with a Few Bees

By: angiehongmn September 7, 2024September 6, 2024

Uncategorizedfarming, featured, honeybees, small farm, sustainable farmingLeave a Comment

For small farmers, it can be challenging to find the right combination of products and services to create a farm operation that is truly sustainable, both ecologically and economically.

Meet Austin and Ruth, owners of a small farm in May Township that offers therapy sessions with bees.

Local officials set sail to learn about shorelines and development

By: angiehongmn July 5, 2024

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updates, Uncategorizedconservation development, development, featured, lakes, shorelines, St. Croix RiverLeave a Comment

This year’s workshop focused specifically on St. Croix Riverway Rules, strategies for dealing with sticky issues and variance requests, and better site design for development and redevelopment projects.