streams – East Metro Water

Salt levels are rising in Minnesota waters and it’s not just winter to blame

By: angiehongmn May 28, 2019May 28, 2019

Keeping water cleanchloride pollution, featured, Minnesota lakes, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, salt, streams2 Comments

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency would like you to think about salt, and not just because we saw snow on May 19. As chloride concentrations continue to rise in lakes, rivers, and groundwater around Minnesota, the agency is working with partners to develop a Statewide Chloride Management Plan that will help to keep our freshwater…

Brown’s Creek fish hoping for a big chill

By: angiehongmn December 11, 2018December 11, 2018

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Local Achievements, WildlifeBrown's Creek, Brown's Creek Watershed District, designated trout stream, featured, science, streams, thermal study, trout1 Comment

This is a story about trout. It’s also a story about local history, changing landscapes, and people trying to do the right thing. Somewhere in the wetland dappled landscape near the now-closed Withrow Elementary, water begins to gather and form a stream we now call Brown’s Creek. The stream flows through soggy fields in Grant…

Celebrate water and nature at Brown’s Creek Park – Sept. 29

By: angiehongmn September 25, 2018September 25, 2018

Partners and UpdatesBrown's Creek, Brown's Creek Watershed District, family fun, featured, Minnesota trails, streams, troutLeave a Comment

He’s standing in an open field, late November, and the sun is glowing through the goldenrod and bluestem. Sun kissing son. There are times like this when the natural world is so beautiful, I want to open my eyes just a little bit wider and etch the memory into my heart. When the Brown’s Creek…

Secrets to success: Cleaner water and healthy landscapes

By: angiehongmn July 10, 2018

Keeping water clean, Local Achievements, Partners and Updatesclean water, featured, Minnesota lakes, streams, Washington Conservation District, Washington County, Watershed DistrictsLeave a Comment

It shouldn’t be a secret, but you might be surprised to learn that 49% of lakes in Washington County have improving water quality. Trout are surviving and may be reproducing in Brown’s Creek again. Woodbury has cut its annual groundwater use by nearly 35 million gallons in only one year, and Bone Lake in Scandia…

Statewide Feedback on Water Issues Echoes Local Concerns in East Metro and St. Croix Valley

By: angiehongmn March 8, 2018

Keeping water cleanimpaired waters, lakes, mercury, phosphorus, streams, water, watershed managementLeave a Comment

Data shows that 40% of Minnesota lakes, rivers and streams are classified as impaired, and the East Metro and St. Croix Valley are no exception.

Minnesotans Call for New Legislation to Promote Smart Salting

By: angiehongmn February 7, 2018

Aquatic Biology, Groundwater, Keeping water cleanclean water, groundwater, lakes, road salt, streams, water pollution, WaterShed Partners1 Comment

Written in partnership with Watershed Partners: http://www.cleanwatermn.org More than ten years ago, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) came to a frightening realization. After testing lakes and streams in the Twin Cities metro area, they discovered that chloride levels in many were climbing, and that some were already too salty to support fish. Further testing…

Community Water Meetings Offer Citizens the Opportunity to Help Shape Minnesota Policy

By: angiehongmn September 19, 2017

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatesdrinking water, Governor Dayton, groundwater, lakes, rivers, streams, waterLeave a Comment

The Stillwater Town Hall meeting will be held on Oct. 5. There will be smaller community water meetings on Thursday, Sept. 21, 6:30-8:30pm at the White Bear Lake City Hall; Tuesday, Sept. 26, 6:30-8:30pm at the R.H. Stafford Library in Woodbury; and Wednesday, Sept. 27, 6:30-8:30pm at the Marine Town Hall.

How Do You Know if a Stream Is Healthy?

By: angiehongmn February 23, 2017

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanBrown's Creek Watershed District, clean water, streams, Valley Branch Watershed District, volunteer stream monitoring, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

Collecting water quality data from streams is not nearly as easy as collecting data from lakes and rivers.

2017 Brings More Than $2 Million in Clean Water Funds to Washington County

By: angiehongmn January 9, 2017

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatesclean water grants, groundwater, lakes, legacy amendment, streams, Washington CountyLeave a Comment

$505,000 will be used to help Forest Lake Area Schools, the Rice Creek Watershed District and the City of Forest Lake retrofit stormwater ponds and construct new irrigation systems to reduce groundwater use by more than 4 million gallons per year.

Out of Rock, Water

By: angiehongmn August 11, 2016

Outdoor Adventuresclean water, groundwater, Minnesota State Parks, streams, troutLeave a Comment

While camping at Beaver Creek Valley State Park two weeks ago, my family enjoyed a weekend of simple pleasures and unexpected treasures.