East Metro Water

The Economics of Clean Lakes and Rivers

By: angiehongmn July 27, 2016

Keeping water clean, Outdoor Adventureseconomic value, outdoor recreation, St. Croix RiverLeave a Comment

According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation in the United States generates 6.1 million jobs and $646 billion in consumer spending every year. In Minnesota, that translates into 118,000 jobs, $11.6 billion in consumer spending, and $815 million in state and local tax revenue.

Making Better Use of Rainwater at CHS Field

By: angiehongmn July 21, 2016

Water ConservationCHS Field, St. Paul Saints, stormwater reuse, water conservationLeave a Comment

Though it may seem common-sense to make use of rainwater that would otherwise run off into storm sewers connecting to the Mississippi River, stormwater reuse is actually a rather new technology in Minnesota.

Splish, Splash, Creepy Crawlies

By: angiehongmn July 18, 2016

Outdoor Adventuresaquatic macroinvertebrates, family fun, Keller Creek, lakesLeave a Comment

Aquatic macroinvertebrates are small animals that live in the water and are big enough to see with the naked eye … insects, snails, clams, shrimp, leeches and other creepy crawlies.

Maintaining Your New Native Planting

By: angiehongmn July 14, 2016

Yards and Landscapingnative plants, pollinators, prairie, prairie gardensLeave a Comment

Planting in groups versus scattering the plants throughout your garden also makes it easier to keep track of them in early years.

Poetry of Nature

By: angiehongmn July 5, 2016

Outdoor AdventuresNational Park Service, St. Croix River, Wild and Scenic RiverLeave a Comment

The river brings life to fish and wildlife, fragile ecosystems, and local communities. Also, it is a place where we can leave behind the busyness of modern life and experience the song of nature.

Protecting the Water We Drink

By: angiehongmn June 29, 2016

Groundwaterdrinking water, groundwater, groundwater contamination, Washington County, water conservationLeave a Comment

There are many places where groundwater is already contaminated due to industry and agriculture, leaving even less of an already precious resource available to us.

Way Down Upon the Suwannee River

By: angiehongmn June 20, 2016

Keeping water cleanerosion control, fertilizer, phosphorus1 Comment

The Suwannee River Mine, which opened in northern Florida in 1965, was once one of our nation’s most productive sources for rock phosphate, the raw material used to manufacture phosphoric acid (phosphorus).

Please, park on the grass

By: angiehongmn June 16, 2016

Partners and Updatescommercial landscaping, grassy pave, porous pavementLeave a Comment

Though the grassy-pave looks like a lawn from a distance, it is actually a structural system, designed to withstand the weight of cars and trucks without compacting the soil beneath.

Groundwater and climate change: South Washington Watershed District prepares for new challenges

By: angiehongmn June 13, 2016

Partners and Updatesclimate change, groundwater, south washington watershed district, stormwater pollutionLeave a Comment

More water running off the land means less infiltrating down into aquifers; that combined with more people washing clothes, watering lawns and flushing toilets has resulted in declining groundwater levels in some parts of the watershed.

Giants of the prairie

By: angiehongmn June 8, 2016

Wildlife, Yards and LandscapingBelwin Conservancy, bison, prairie, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

On Saturday, June 11, the ground in the Belwin prairie will again shake as a truck pulls up, opens its doors and releases a herd of bison with thundering hooves.