Accelerated Ground Water Protection Through Irrigation Water Management
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.
Please reference following link: http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/aboutbwsr/boarddirectory.pdf
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;
Nicole Clapp
Laws of Minnesota 2011, 1st Special Session, Chapter 6, Section 7, and Laws of Minnesota 2012, Chapter 264, Section 7
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.
This project resulted in an estimated reduction of 21,845 lb. nitrogen per year.
The source of additional funds varies from project to project, but generally consists of federal, local and non-public sources.