Accelerated Ground Water Protection Through Irrigation Water Management

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$145,000
Fund Source
Clean Water Fund
Recipient
Wadena Soil and Water Conservation District
Recipient Type
Local/Regional Government
Status
Completed
Start Date
January 2013
End Date
December 2015
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Wadena
Wadena
Project Overview

Most of Hubbard, Todd and Wadena Counties' irrigated acreage consists of highly permeable, low water holding capacity, sandy textured soils overlying shallow and buried sand and gravel aquifers. These aquifers are very susceptible to non-point water quality degradation from land use practices. This project will reduce the amount of nitrates and other water soluble contaminants that are leaching into sensitive sand plain aquifers and help reduce the effects of irrigation on surface water flows by establishing a shared Irrigation Specialist through the three Soil and Water Conservation Districts. This Irrigation Specialist will provide technical assistance and tools to work with local irrigation producers to encourage them to adopt irrigation practices and act as a liaison between local producers and state agencies with groundwater interests.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Wayne Zellmer -BWSR Grants Coordinator; Matt Drewitz -BWSR South Region Clean Water Specialist; Jeff Hrubes -BWSR North Region Clean Water Specialist; Marcey Westrick -BWSR Metro Clean Water Specialist; Art Persons -MDH Planning Supervisor Drinking Water Protection; Terry Bovee -MDH Principal Planner Drinking Water Protection; Julie Westerlund -DNR Clean Water Coordinator; Dave Friedl -DNR Northern Region Clean Water Specialist; Joshua Stamper -MDA Research Scientist, Pesticide & Fertilizer Management; Dwight Wilcox -MDA Ag BMP Program Planner; Anna Kerr -MPCA -Stormwater / TMDL Coordinator;-DNR Central Region Clean Water Legacy Specialist; Karen Evens - MPCA -Watershed Projects Manager;

Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Conflict of Interest Contact

Nicole Clapp

Legal Citation / Subdivision
111 006 02 07B 000
Appropriation Language

Laws of Minnesota 2011, 1st Special Session, Chapter 6, Section 7, and Laws of Minnesota 2012, Chapter 264, Section 7

2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$145,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$40,000
Direct expenses
$145,000
Administration costs
$2,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
2.8
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

A shared irrigation technician that will lead to the adoption and understanding of irrigation water management practices. It is estimated that up to 80 fields could be enrolled into an irrigation scheduling program annually.

Measurable Outcome(s)

This project resulted in an estimated reduction of 21,845 lb. nitrogen per year.

Source of Additional Funds

The source of additional funds varies from project to project, but generally consists of federal, local and non-public sources.

Recipient Board Members
Melvin Kinnunen, Nancy Benson, Ken Berg, Marvin Runyan, Tom Schulz
Project Manager
First Name
Darren
Last Name
Newville
Organization Name
Wadena Soil and Water Conservation District
Street Address
4 Alfred St. NE
City
Wadena
State
MN
Zip Code
56482
Phone
(218) 631-3195 ext. 4
Email
darren.newville@mn.nacdnet.net
Administered By
Administered by
Location

520 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651- 296-3767