 | In this issue Tips for summer stewardship
VRWJPO annual report highlights
Project update: North Creek improvements
Test your irrigation water for nitrogen
Landscaping for Clean Water
ACRE Monitoring Well Network Dashboard
Upcoming events | | Tips for water-smart lawn care | Just because your city may have an odd-even watering ordinance, doesn't mean you should water your lawn every other day. Instead, rely on rain as much as possible for grass. If your grass turns brown, it's likely just dormant, not dead, and will turn green again with the next rain. This video playlist from the Metropolitan Council provides tips for more efficient irrigation in residential areas. If you live in a homeowner's association in Lakeville, Rosemount, or Apple Valley, encourage them to undergo an Irrigation Audit if they haven't already. You can also complete your own individual irrigation audit - many cities offer rebates for improving your home's water efficiency. You've heard us talk about "mowing high" before, which means letting your lawn grow taller (between 4.5-6 inches) and setting your lawnmower to cut the grass to between 3-4 inches. This reduces stress on the plants and the amount of time you need to spend mowing! It also keeps the soil shaded and reduces water evaporation from the soil. As you mow, mulch the grass clippings back into the lawn to return nutrients to it. Of course, other plants in your yard or garden may have different water requirements than the lawn. Consider using a rain barrel to provide water for your greenery as needed. Source: University of Minnesota Turfgrass Science | 2022 VRWJPO Annual Report Each year, the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) submits an annual report to the Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources (BWSR) of our activities and finances from the previous calendar year. Our 2022 report is now available to the public on our website. A couple highlights: -The Vermillion River Monitoring Network (VRMN) visits eight stream locations on a biweekly basis from snowmelt through Nov. 1 each year to assess water quality and quantity. VRMN monitors nitrates, phosphorus, dissolved oxygen (important for trout), total suspended solids, chloride (salt), chlorophyll a, temperature, bacteria levels, macroinvertebrate health, and stream habitat. The Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District provides the VRMN report to the VRWJPO each year as part of the annual report. The monitoring report gives VRWJPO staff direction on the river and tributaries' health and where we can support it with projects. -The watershed was awarded $673,331 from BWSR for Watershed-Based Implementation Funding (WBIF), which was allocated among local government units (cities, counties, townships, Soil & Water Conservation Districts) for projects through a process coordinated by VRWJPO. Projects allocated funds include a stream restoration of Middle Creek at Dodd Blvd, subwatershed analysis of the Lower Mainstem Vermillion River, agricultural best management practices, nitrate reduction practices, irrigation management, a stormwater pond enhancement, and a feasibility study of alum treatment effectiveness on Alimagnet Lake. | Project Update: North Creek Channel Improvements By Travis Thiel, VRWJPO Senior Watershed Specialist The City of Lakeville, in partnership with the VRWJPO, recently completed a channel restoration project on North Creek. The project is located between 160th St. and 170th St., near Foxborough Park. In recent years, this reach of North Creek experienced significant erosion, primarily near Highview Ave. This erosion was cutting the channel downward, leaving near-vertical channel banks up to ten feet high. When this downcutting occurs, the creek doesn’t easily reach the floodplain when it rains, so stream energy ends up focused on the bed and banks resulting in additional erosion. Erosion of the banks would be the next stage in the channel trying to stabilize itself without intervention. In order to curb the downcutting and erosion, the bulk of the restoration took the form of rock checks placed strategically in the channel between Highview and Cedar Aves. The rock checks prevent migration of the downcutting while collecting sediment behind them, building the channel back up to its previous and normal elevation over time, reconnecting the channel to its floodplain. Due to the extensive wetland surrounding this reach of North Creek, winter construction was required to allow large equipment to work without sinking. Most construction occurred between December 2022 and March 2023. Some touch up work and additional seeding happened this spring once snow melted, soils dried out, and things began to green up. By curbing the channel erosion, the project is estimated to reduce excess sediment and phosphorus in North Creek by 147 tons per year and 89 pounds per year, respectively. Final invoices are still being submitted and paid, but the project is estimated to cost $387,500. A BWSR Watershed-Based Implementation Funding grant provided $337,500 of the total cost, with Lakeville providing engineering, permitting, and project management, and the VRWJPO anticipated to provide $50,000, construction oversight assistance, and grant administration. | Test your irrigation water for nitrogen The Dakota County Environmental Resources Department will be offering farmers with irrigation an opportunity to test their irrigation water for nitrogen at no cost. Interested individuals may collect sample bottles starting July 9, 2023 from either the Pleasant Hill Library in Hastings, or the Extension and Conservation Center in Farmington. Samples must be returned to one of these locations between July 16, 2023 – July 31, 2023. Participants will be provided their results and learn how they can be used to properly credit irrigation water for nitrogen by a staff member of the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District. For more details about this event, go to www.co.dakota.mn.us and search Irrigation water testing. For questions, contact Matt Belanger of the Groundwater Protection Unit: Email: matthew.belanger@co.dakota.mn.us
Phone: 952-891-7132 | Landscaping for Clean Water We still have a few sessions left of the 2023 Landscaping for Clean Water series with Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District: Introduction: Thursday, June 8, 6-7 p.m., virtual (register)
Learn how low-maintenance native gardens, raingardens, and native shoreline stabilizations attract pollinators and help keep our waters clean. In-person Design Course: Tuesday/Thursday, June 20/22, 6-8 p.m. both days, Mendota Heights Fire Station (register)
Online Design Course: At your leisure (register)
Sign up for the design workshop to get help creating a raingarden, native garden, or shoreline stabilization for your property. | Agricultural Chemical Reduction Effort (ACRE) Monitoring Well Network Dashboard Dakota County installed 15 groundwater monitoring wells in 2021 and 2022 which will be sampled three times a year (spring, summer, and fall) for nitrates, chloride, depth to water, and other measurements. Results from past sampling events can be viewed online with an interactive web-based dashboard. This tool allows users to select specific monitoring wells and dates to see results of all measurements at the time of sampling. To view the ACRE Monitoring Well Dashboard, go to www.dakotacounty.us and search ACRE. | Upcoming Events Thursday, June 8 - Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board (VRWJPB) Special Meeting, 1 p.m., Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center, Farmington Sunday, June 11 - VRWJPO at Take a Kid Fishing, 12-3 p.m., Thompson County Park, West. St. Paul Wednesday, June 14 - Vermillion River Watershed Planning Commission (VRWPC) Meeting, 4:30 p.m., Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center Thursday, June 22 - VRWJPB Meeting, 1 p.m., Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center Tuesday, July 11 - VRWJPO at Hastings Party in the Park, 5:30 p.m., Levee Park, Hastings Wednesday, July 12 - VRWPC Meeting, 4:30 p.m., DC Extension and Conservation Center Thursday, July 27 - VRWJPB Meeting, 1 p.m., DC Extension and Conservation Center August 7-13 - Dakota County Fair, fairgrounds, Farmington (VRWJPO will be in the Natural Resources Building) Wednesday, Aug. 9 - VRWPC Meeting, 4:30 p.m., DC Extension and Conservation Center Thursday, Aug. 24 - VRWJPB Meeting, 1 p.m., DC Extension and Conservation Center | | |
