The Minnesota River Basin Hydrological Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) models simulate sediment erosion and transport, however these models periodically need to be adjusted to be consistent with the most recent sources of information regarding sediment distribution and loading rates. The goal of this project is to refine the sediment source partitioning and simulation in the Minnesota River basin using all relevant available sources of information.
The Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District will conduct a river assessment to determine the scope of eroding riverbanks and a stormwater modeling project to identify targeted locations for stormwater management. The river assessment will: 1) verify that streambank erosion is the major contributor of pollutants, including sediment, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen; 2) catalog and quantify the erosion, and; 3) provide an assessment of reductions that could be achieved using specific solutions.
This project will develop a statewide parks and trails map in print and in a web-based form. The print map will be generalized and the web-based map will be more descriptive.
The aim of this project is to create public awareness of recreational opportunities and, as a result, increased visitation to these areas.
The Minnesota River Basin Hydrological Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) models, which simulate flow and pollutant transport, need to be refined to be consistent with the most recent external sources of land use, hydrologic response, and surface flow attributions. The primary goal of this work is to refine the hydrologic calibration in the Minnesota River basin.
Interactive Video Conferencing, is a program created by the Minnesota Historical Society to provide interactive educational experiences for fourth through sixth grade students using new video-conferencing capabilities.
This project will fix problems at the statewide/system level so that all Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) reports and other projects will benefit by saving money and time as they will no longer have to do data reconciliation work.
Connecting Generations through History launched in November 2009 with 12 projects statewide, facilitated by Minnesota Historical Society staff, historic sites and public libraries.
The Greater Litchfield Opera House Association contracted with an experienced historical architect to design and create a work plan to properly guide interior restoration and preserve remaining historic fabric of the Litchfield Opera House, listed in the National Register of Historic Places. A set of interior planning documents were developed for a final report. It will be used for future restoration work.
"The restoration of the Litchfield Opera House is a communityy project involving hundreds of people of all ages, talents and beliefs."
The Society worked with Nancy O'Brien Wagner from Bluestem Heritage group to develop a new interpretive plan for the Eugene St. Julien Cox House's exhibits and programs. The National Association of Interpretation's recommendations were used as the framework for the new plan for this home that is listed in National Register of Historic Places.
This on-going program is for detecting, mapping and controlling invasive plant species and re-establishing native vegetation in their place on lands administered by the Division of Parks and Trails. Control of invasive plant species furthers progress to preserve and restore the quality of native plant communities on Parks and Trails lands as well as helps prevent the spread of invasives to new locations.
MCHS accomplished more than the stated goal to finish the inventory of the remaining half of an estimated 8000+ items. A total of 17,000 items were inventoried. The MCHS now has a more accurate and complete resource for access and control of the collections.
In order to more closely meet national museum standards, the MDC purchased the StEPS program and created a PastPerfect database that recorded information on 4,037 objects in their collections. Objects documenting Iron Range history were identified and inventoried. The inventory process included moving an object to a processing location, writing descriptions, researching the objects function and name, noting the objects location and then entering the data collected into the database. Then the object was re-packaged and returned to its home location.
The Lac qui Parle County Historical Society/Museum purchased a laptop computer and a PastPerfect software program to facilitate the inventory of their entire historical collection. The program is stored on the Lac qui Parle county server.
Banners, displays and educational tools were used to create an exhibit telling the history of the Iron Range through the personal narrative of 10 area residents. Research of these individuals was conducted using primary sources from the Iron Range including: oral histories, census reports, newspaper articles and maps. The life and times of each individual gives a perspective of the Iron Range from a specific time period and cultural climate.
Funding supports an Irrigation Specialist to develop guidance and provide education on irrigation and nitrogenbest management practices (BMPs). In this position, Dr. Vasu Sharma provides direct support to irrigators onissues of irrigation scheduling and soil water monitoring. She is collaborating on the development of new irrigationscheduling tools that help irrigators manage water and nitrogen resources more precisely. These tools help reducenitrogen leaching losses in irrigated cropping systems.
Project will focus on BMP's that reduce runoff and/or keep water on the land. The establishment of 8 native plantings on 153 acres using an approved 15 native species mix on marginal farm fields will significantly reduce runoff of sediments and nutrients, and act as a filter to remove nutrients and sediment from fields upslope. Based on RUSLE2 estimates, 336.6 tons/yr of soil will be saved, and 202 lbs/yr of phosphorus and 3,336 lbs/yr of nitrates will not runoff the fields and/or leach into the ground water.
Woody biomass energy systems have shown themselves to offer more locally-based, stable energy supplies for some communities. Itasca Community College is using this appropriation to design a renewable energy system based on woody biomass that will serve as a demonstration and educational tool in the region.
"This proposal is to monitor all MPCA target streams and lake sites in the Upper Mississippi Grand Rapids watershed located within Itasca County. Itasca County SWCD has been working collaboratively with MPCA in its intensive watershed monitoring effort on a number of grants to assess the overall health of our water resources and to identify waters with impairments along with those in need of additional protection to prevent future impairments.
