Tips and tales about keeping water clean
Square Lake is one of the clearest lakes in the Twin Cities area and ranks in the top 1% for water clarity in the entire North Central Hardwood Forest Ecoregion of Minnesota. New park improvements underway this fall are designed to help keep Square Lake clean for years to come.
Read More
Seine netting is one technique that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) uses to collect fish when developing an “index of biological integrity” for a lake, known as an IBI score. The number and variety of fish caught helps the DNR to determine whether a lake fully supports aquatic life.
Read More
Fourteen new zebra mussel infestations were discovered in Minnesota in 2024, including Big Carnelian Lake in northern Washington County.
While news of a new zebra mussel infestation is discouraging, it is important to remember that 96% of lakes in Minnesota do NOT have zebra mussels and can still be protected from future infestations if lakeshore landowners, contractors, boaters, and anglers commit to taking action.
Read More
Water monitoring data has shown a steady improvement in Hay Lake’s water quality over the past ten years as a result of planting projects completed on the land in the surrounding watershed. In 2022, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency officially “de-listed” Hay Lake, meaning it is no longer considered impaired.
Read More
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.
Read More
The Mill Stream powered Minnesota’s first commercial saw mill and gave rise to the community of Marine on St. Croix in 1839 –two full decades before Minnesota became a state. Now, nearly 200 years later, the people of Marine are beginning to dream about a new future for this tiny but beloved stream.
Read More
The next few weeks will offer numerous opportunities to enjoy all things plant-related, including two volunteer planting events, a bison release, two native plant sales, and two family nature events.
Read More
Local lakes scheduled to be delisted next year include East Boot (May Twp), Echo (Mahtomedi), Hay and Jellums (Scandia), Lily and South Twin (Stillwater), and Plaisted (Hugo).
Read More
(IBI) scores that function much like grades on a report card. According to Mike Isensee, Administrator for the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District, Mill Stream will likely get an IBI score of “B” in 2022.
Read More
On Saturday, May 1, volunteers in Marine on St. Croix planted 1,500 native plants along a wetland to create a natural buffer that will help to hold the soil in place and guard against erosion.
Read More
East Metro Water 