Washington County – East Metro Water

Along came a loon and swam up beside her

By: angiehongmn July 17, 2018

Keeping water clean, Outdoor Adventuresclean water, featured, Minnesota lakes, Square Lake, triathlon, Washington County, water qualityLeave a Comment

I’m training for an Ironman triathlon and, despite my best intentions to prevent triathlon from taking over my life, triathlon has taken over my life. On a typical day I get up at 4:45am to fit in my first workout before starting work at 7am. I do my second workout over lunch, leaving the evening…

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…

Grants and workshops to help landowners create and improve woodland habitat

By: angiehongmn May 10, 2018May 7, 2018

Buckthorn, Yards and Landscapingbuckthorn, Habitat, oriental bittersweet, trees, Washington County, woodlandsLeave a Comment

In addition to its annual tree sale, the Washington Conservation District offers advice and assistance to landowners hoping to create and improve woodland habitat on their properties.

Land Cover and Pollinators? There’s a Map for That.

By: angiehongmn February 18, 2018

UncategorizedHabitat, maps, Minnesota, MLCCS, pollinators, Washington Conservation District, Washington CountyLeave a Comment

These records are computerized for easy use, unlike the handwritten notes from Minnesota’s first land surveys, which are stored on yellowed paper at the Historical Society.

Aquatic Invasives – The Battle Continues

By: angiehongmn January 3, 2018

Aquatic Biology, Partners and UpdatesAquatic Invasive Species, comfort lake - forest lake watershed district, Washington Conservation District, Washington CountyLeave a Comment

Not so long ago, in a galaxy awfully close to home, the Minnesota legislature allocated $132,169 to Washington County to battle against real life aquatic invasive species (AIS) that creep steadily further into our beloved lakes and rivers each year.

A New Bridge and Better Habitat Along the Mississippi River

By: angiehongmn October 11, 2017

Local Achievements, Partners and Updatesclean water, Grey Cloud, habitat restoration, Mississippi River, south washington watershed district, Washington CountyLeave a Comment

This fall, Washington County and South Washington Watershed District are constructing a new bridge in Grey Cloud Township that will finally restore the natural water flow in Grey Cloud Slough and help to flush out sediment and nutrients that have accumulated over the past 50 years.

Change Is Underway for Cottage Grove Ravine Park

By: angiehongmn March 8, 2017

Keeping water clean, Partners and Updates, Uncategorizedbuckthorn, Cottage Grove, flood control, south washington watershed district, Washington CountyLeave a Comment

This year, Cottage Grove Ravine Park will undergo a massive transformation as Washington County Parks and the South Washington Watershed District work together to create new visitor facilities, improve habitat within the park, and protect against flooding and erosion from upstream development.

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.

Washington County Embarks on New Business Partnership to Save Money and Reduce Water Use

By: angiehongmn December 5, 2016

Groundwater, Partners and Updatesbusiness efficiency, groundwater, Washington County, water conservationLeave a Comment

Washington County is reaching out to area businesses with an offer they can’t refuse – cut costs while protecting local water supplies. The outreach effort, conducted in partnership with the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTap) at the University of Minnesota includes two components: 1) Free, in-depth water efficiency consultations, conducted by MnTAP engineering staff; and…

Protecting the Water We Drink

By: angiehongmn June 29, 2016

Groundwaterdrinking water, groundwater, groundwater contamination, Washington County, water conservationLeave a Comment

There are many places where groundwater is already contaminated due to industry and agriculture, leaving even less of an already precious resource available to us.