Dodge Saturated Buffer Project Implementation
Nitrogen is a serious problem in Minnesota's Mississippi River Basin and the Dodge Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will address this problem through saturated buffers. Nitrates have been linked to adverse health effects, and nitrogen is the leading cause of the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. Agriculture drainage through the use of tile drainage systems have been identified as the number one leading source of nitrogen in the Mississippi River Basin. The Dodge SWCD is going to treat agriculture tile drainage systems with saturated buffers before they discharge into Minnesota's rivers, streams, and ditches. Agriculture tile drainage systems that are treated by saturated buffers effectively treat nitrogen in tile water, and saturated buffers are considered one the most cost effective treatments for nitrogen today. Through this grant the Dodge SWCD plans to install 9 saturated buffers, reducing an estimated 1.35 Metric Tons/year load from Minnesota's waters.
Annie Felix-Gerth
Projects and Practices 2016: Laws of MN 2015 First Special Session Chapter 2, Article 7, Section 7
With 10 kg/acre/year of NO3 removal from a minimum 15 acre drainage area, planned projects should result in an estimated 150 kg/yr of NO3 removal each. An estimated 1,350 kg or 1.35 MT/yr are anticipated for the entire project.
This project has resulted in an estimated annual reduction of 1253.04 pounds of Nitrogen.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS