East Metro Water

A refresher course on how pipes work

By: angiehongmn September 5, 2014

Keeping water cleannon-point source pollution, storm sewers, stormwater pollutionLeave a Comment

Pipes are pretty simple technology but, even so, there is a bizarre human tendency to stuff all sorts of things into them in the hopes that the pipes will make these things magically disappear.

Out-dated Septic Systems Contaminate Area Streams

By: angiehongmn September 2, 2014

Keeping water cleanLeave a Comment

Along with Kelle’s Creek, eight other creeks in Washington County have E. coli impairments.

Grimy, green and gross

By: angiehongmn August 18, 2014

Aquatic Biologyalgae, aquatic plants, phosphorus2 Comments

Much of the green that is currently floating on our lakes are duckweed, though there is plenty of filamentous algae as well.

Where the Mississippi River Wanders

By: angiehongmn August 14, 2014

Keeping water clean, Outdoor AdventuresMississippi RiverLeave a Comment

Though tre are no more public meetings scheduled for the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area rule revision process, the DNR is still accepting comments from the public until 4:30pm on Friday, Aug. 15.

Monarchs in the Trees

By: angiehongmn August 6, 2014

Wildlife, Yards and LandscapingBlue Thumb, butterflies, monarchs, native plants, pollinators, wildlife habitatLeave a Comment

On Thursday, Aug. 7, 6:30-8pm, the Jurans and the Grabowskis will open up their yards to neighbors and other members of the local community who are looking for ideas and inspiration.

Introducing the new Clean Water Geocaching Trail

By: angiehongmn July 21, 2014

Keeping water clean, Outdoor Adventuresclean water, geocaching, outdoorsLeave a Comment

Our Clean Water Geocaching Trail takes you to some of the most beautiful parts of the East Metro Area of the Twin Cities where you will find one of the most precious treasures of all – clean water.

Find Inspiration at the FamilyMeans St. Croix Valley Garden Tour – July 12-13

By: angiehongmn July 7, 2014

Yards and LandscapingBlue Thumb, Brown's Creek Watershed District, FamilyMeans, garden tours, native plants, raingardens, St. Croix Valley, Valley Branch Watershed District, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

Some of the gardens feature landscaping with Minnesota native plants, but there are also shade gardens, veggie gardens, and even a garden with a model train.

A plea for sane lawn watering

By: angiehongmn July 2, 2014

Water Conservation, Yards and Landscapinggroundwater, lawn care, water conservationLeave a Comment

Drive around any city in the area, and you can see sprinklers going in the rain or folks watering already water-logged lawns.

Safe passage for turtles near Big Marine Lake

By: angiehongmn June 23, 2014

WildlifeBig Marine Park, Blanding's turtle, turtle crossing, turtles, Washington Conservation District, Washington County Parks2 Comments

County Parks and WCD staff expect many kinds of turtles to use the new road crossing at Hwy 4, but local biologists are especially interested in protecting Blanding’s turtles because of their threatened species status.

Stopping the Nitrogen Super-Highway

By: angiehongmn June 19, 2014

Keeping water cleanMinnesota Pollution Control Agency, Mississippi River, nitrogen, Nitrogen Study, WaterShed PartnersLeave a Comment

The amount of nitrogen flowing downstream in the Mississippi River has doubled since 1976 and nitrogen levels are increasing in about half of the other rivers and streams in Minnesota as well.