The East Metro Water Education Program (EMWREP) and University of Minnesota have worked together to develop an education toolkit and launch a three-part Stormwater Leadership Series for HOA board members, which was piloted tis spring5.
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All articles filed in stormwater
Improvements at Square Lake Park will help to keep the water pristine
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.
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The Science of Leaves
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%.
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East Metro residents adopt thousands of storm drains to help protect lakes and rivers
The Adopt a Drain program was developed as a fun and unique way to engage community residents in helping to prevent stormwater pollution. As a testament to the program’s popularity, Minnesotans have adopted an astounding 24,523 storm drains and report collecting 769,210 lbs of debris, which would have otherwise been washed into lakes, rivers and streams.
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In Woodbury, a stormwater park takes shape
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.
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713,495 Pounds of Schmooka and Counting
In most cases, it takes less than five minutes to walk out your front door, grab a snow shovel and wheelbarrow, and scoop up the schmooka along the curb line in front of your home.
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When Development Comes to Town
Washington and Anoka Counties are two of the top ten fastest growing counties in Minnesota, and Isanti is close behind at number eleven. There was a 28% increase in property values in northern Washington County in 2022, and, according to the Star Tribune, the cities of Lake Elmo (1), Lindstrom (2), Cambridge (5), and Stillwater (9) are among the hottest housing markets in the state. What tools exist to help small towns grow in a way that protects natural resources and maintains a sense of community?
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Green infrastructure and its maintenance a mystery for many Homeowners Associations
There are 7,725 HOAs in Minnesota and nearly 27% of the state’s population lives in an HOA. These communities often struggle to budget for and properly maintain stormwater and green infrastructure practices such as ponds, raingardens, conservation easements, and native plantings.
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Ford Plant closes, Hidden Falls returns
When the Ford Assembly Plant closed in 2011, the Capitol Region Watershed District and City of St. Paul seized the opportunity to engage the wider community and transform the site into a thriving residential neighborhood with parks and recreational amenities.
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Bringing public art into stormwater management
A growing number of watershed management organizations are recognizing the value of public art to beautify otherwise boring stormwater management projects, illustrate connections between built and natural environments, and explain technical processes in new and creative ways.
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