featured – Page 9 – East Metro Water

Zebra mussels found in Big Carnelian Lake

By: angiehongmn September 13, 2024September 10, 2024

Aquatic Biology, WildlifeAIS, Aquatic Invasive Species, Big Carnelian Lake, Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District, featured, Washington Conservation District, zebra musselsLeave a Comment

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.

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.

Celebrating 25 Years of Lake and Stream Restoration Work in the Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed

By: angiehongmn September 3, 2024August 30, 2024

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatescomfort lake - forest lake watershed district, featured, Forest LakeLeave a Comment

On September 18, the Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District will celebrate its 25th Anniversary, share updates on programming, and announce recipients of the 2024 Watershed Champion Awards.

RSVP via email to adam.hjelm@clflwd.org or by phone to (651) 395-5850 by September 6th.

Restoration work underway along Brown’s Creek in Stillwater

By: angiehongmn August 30, 2024

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Partners and Updates, WildlifeBrown's Creek Watershed District, featured, fishing, streams, troutLeave a Comment

Trail users and local residents can expect to see buckthorn and tree removal continuing into the fall. The watershed district will also work with Trout Unlimited and volunteers to plant native shrubs and trees in key locations along the stream next spring.

Restoring Hay Lake, one prairie at a time

By: angiehongmn August 26, 2024

Local Achievements, Partners and Updates, Yards and LandscapingCarnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District, farming, featured, Hay Lake, prairie, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

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.

In the land of the laughing hippos

By: angiehongmn August 15, 2024August 15, 2024

Outdoor AdventuresAfrica, Botswana, camping, canoeing, featured, Okavanago DeltaLeave a Comment

Last month, my family and I took a once-in-a-lifetime trip to southern Africa. Among our many awe-inspiring experiences was a two-day trip into the Okavango Delta of northwestern Botswana, where we traveled by mokoro canoe and slept in two-man tents on the ground, with hippos, elephants, and other wildlife rustling and chattering throughout the night.

Lake Living 101

By: angiehongmn August 13, 2024August 8, 2024

Yards and Landscapingfeatured, lakes, lakeshore rules, native plants, shoreline, Washington County1 Comment

Owning a lake home is the quintessential Minnesota dream, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. Two of the most common “problem scenarios” for lakeshore owners include creating beaches and installing rock riprap. Learn more about the rules.

And it was all yellow

By: angiehongmn July 18, 2024July 15, 2024

Yards and Landscapingbees, birds, featured, gardening, native plants, pollinatorsLeave a Comment

If you peruse the Minnesota Wildflowers online field guide, you will find an impressive 303 species of plants native to Minnesota that all have yellow flowers. Check out this weekend’s Master Gardener Garden Tour or an upcoming event to learn more about gardening with native plants.

In Woodbury, a stormwater park takes shape

By: angiehongmn July 14, 2024

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatesfeatured, goats, oak woodlands, public art, south washington watershed district, stormwater, WoodburyLeave a Comment

Construction is underway at Hasenbank Park in Woodbury, where the South Washington Watershed District and City of Woodbury are combining nature, art, and human engineering to build a one-of-a-kind “Stormwater Park.” The goal is to protect Powers Lake from runoff pollution, while also creating a community gathering space with walking trails, public art, and beautifully restored native habitat.

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.