The Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (District) has determined that large impervious sites (like churches, commercial sites, and schools) are more economical for stormwater management retrofit projects than distributed small projects along roadways. Analysis of the watershed land use indicates that large impervious sites are typically commercial properties (primarily retail), churches, and schools. The District began assessing church sites for retrofit opportunities in 2013 and will continue this effort in 2014.
This project will provide lake and stream monitoring assistance to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), identifying impaired waters within the Lower Minnesota RIver Watershed (Watershed ID: 07020012) according to the Intensive Watershed Monitoring (IWM) Approach.
Approximately 70 percent of all Minnesotans rely on groundwater as their primary source of drinking water. Wells used for drinking water must be properly sealed when removed from service to protect both public health and Minnesota’s invaluable groundwater resources. The Minnesota Department of Health protects both public health and groundwater by assuring the proper sealing of unused wells.
Clean Water funds are being provided to well owners as a 50% cost-share assistance for sealing unused public water-supply wells.
Approximately 70 percent of all Minnesotans rely on groundwater as their primary source of drinking water. Wells used for drinking water must be properly sealed when removed from service to protect both public health and Minnesota’s invaluable groundwater resources. The Minnesota Department of Health with the assistance of the Board of Water and Soil Resources protects both public health and groundwater by assuring the proper sealing of unused wells.” Clean Water funds are being provided to home owners as a 50% cost-share assistance for sealing unused private drinking water wells.
The goal of this project is the continued development of an overall strategy for reduction of turbidity/TSS, with sets of sediment reduction initiatives and actions for various sources, to address the Minnesota River Turbidity TMDL and the South Metro Mississippi River TSS TMDL. The overall strategy will be used to help establish a path towards achieving the required reductions of turbidity/TSS.
The goal of this project is to provide drilling services for the Sentinel Lakes Groundwater/Surface Water Interaction Network. The three new wells will be used for monitoring the interaction between groundwater and surface water in Lakes Shaokatan and Bear Head. Groundwater/lake water interactions are not well understood, and in order to produce accurate and useful Total Maximum Daily Load watershed investigations and impairment remediations, the MPCA must understand how groundwater affects lake water quality.
The Septic Risk Assessment Model and Program Enhancement (SRAMPE) will result in a systematically review and catalog of all septic related materials by licensed SSTS professionals pertaining to the 890 properties in which we believe are served by SSTS. The enhanced program will improve efficiency, customer service, and administrative procedure. Above all, it will lead to upgrading of failing SSTS or conversion to City sewer
Shingle Creek in suburban Hennepin County has experienced significant changes since its days as a narrow, meandering prairie stream. Nearly 100 years ago much of the stream was straightened and dredged to provide better drainage for agriculture. As agriculture gave way to urban and suburban development, Shingle Creek was widened and dredged again to more efficiently convey stormwater to the Mississippi River. Urbanization has resulted in high levels of chloride in the stream from road salt and not enough dissolved oxygen to sustain aquatic life.
This project will reduce phosphorus loading from the watershed tributary to Silver Lake. The project includes a combination of structural water quality improvements in the SLV-10 subwatershed north of the lake, retrofits (including iron enhanced sand filtration) to the Silver Lake bioretention basin, small scale best management practices (BMPs) throughout the watershed, and educational signage in Joy Park. The elements of this project will reduce phosphorus loading to Silver Lake by a combined 15 pounds per year or 40% of the current watershed load.
The Greater Blue Earth River Basin is a large area within the Watonwan, Le Sueur, and Blue Earth River watersheds. Recent research by University of Minnesota, the National Center for Earth Dynamics, and others has found this basin to be the largest contributor of sediment to Lake Pepin.
This contract is a component of larger project (Snake River E.coli Microbial Source Tracking Study – Cycle II) in the Snake River Watershed located in the St. Croix river basin. The study will address microbial water quality impairments in the watershed. This study will conduct fecal bacteria source tracking using genetic markers across impaired streams in the watershed during the spring and summer months of 2021.
This project will complete a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study for the impaired reaches of the Snake River Basin. The project includes development of a Generalized Watershed Loading Function (GWLF) model for nutrient sources and Total Suspended Sediment (TSS), a spreadsheet version of a BATHTUB model of lake response for four lakes, and a bacteria source assessment. Wenck will also provide all stream channel data as a spreadsheet and locational database.
This project primarily focuses on riparian restoration (permanent vegetative buffer enhancements and plantings) on 6.5 miles (both sides) of targeted tributaries, ditches, and wetlands within five sub - watershed areas identified in the Snake River Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) Report. These plantings will consist of native perennials, trees, and shrubs where practical. In addition to the riparian plantings, this project will include fence exclusions for cattle and heavy use protections at cattle crossings in streams and ditches.
This phase of the project will complete a TMDL for the impaired reaches of the Snake River Basin. The project includes development of a Unit Area Load model for nutrient sources, a spreadsheet version of a BATHTUB lake response for four lakes, and a bacteria source assessment. Contractor will also provide all stream channel data as a spreadsheet database and in GIS.
The purpose of this project is to provide a new shared position in southeast Minnesota which will accelerate the adoption of soil health practices by leveraging the existing efforts of the National Resources Conservation Service and other organizations.
Prepare and mail information to owners of chemical storage and hazardous waste generator properties. Educate owners of properties and the general public about the city's Wellhead and SWP.
