Stop by the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. to stroll along the activity trail or use your GPS or phone app to search for themed geocaches. For older adventurers, take on the annual medallion hunt. This year, the event is part of the We are Water MN Exhibit at Dakota County, a Minnesota Legacy program.

Location

When you arrive, head to the Visitor Center and look for the event information station. Each station includes signs with activity instruction information and take-along guides.

• Visitor Center Trailhead, Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Activities

• Water is Life Activity Trail: Explore the activity trail and investigate how critters (and other lifeforms) depend on water in interesting ways. The littlest kids will love this stroller-friendly scavenger hunt, searching for critters along a paved trail. All ages (especially fun for ages 6 and younger).
• Protecting our Waters Geocaching:  Search for the multi-cache and become a water saver superhero as you explore how you can help protect water quality. All ages (especially fun for ages 5 and older). Participants must provide their own smartphone with geocaching app or GPS unit for geocaching activity.
• Medallion Hunt: Solve clever riddles in our medallion hunt to find the “medallion” hidden somewhere in the park. All ages (especially for ages 10 and older). Riddles will be posted on Facebook, on the Opt Outside event page Nov. 24-25. Riddles will be posted at 8 a.m. and noon on Thursday, Nov. 24 and noon on Friday, Nov. 25.

Medallion finders must post a selfie near the location of the find to the Dakota County Parks – forever wild Facebook page and call the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center at 651-554-6530 to report their find. A fantastic prize package goes to the winner.

Are you an irrigator concerned about matching your irrigation with crop water use? Are you wondering how to improve water use efficiency and reduce water costs? The University of Minnesota Extension is offering the Minnesota Irrigator Program (MIP), to help answer these questions and more.

The three-day MIP will be held in person at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center in Farmington (same building as our office and Dakota County SWCD) on March 1, 8, and 15 from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm. Topics will include general water use and flow, irrigation sprinkler systems, variable rate irrigation, agronomics, maintenance, energy costs, and much more. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Participation is capped at 25 individuals and the cost is $75. For more information and to register, go to https://z.umn.edu/MIP23registration.

MIP attendance is one of the requirements for the Irrigation Endorsement awarded by the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program and certified producers are eligible for tuition reimbursement. Contact your local MAWQCP certifier for more information.

Are you an irrigator concerned about matching your irrigation with crop water use? Are you wondering how to improve water use efficiency and reduce water costs? The University of Minnesota Extension is offering the Minnesota Irrigator Program (MIP), to help answer these questions and more.

The three-day MIP will be held in person at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center in Farmington (same building as our office and Dakota County SWCD) on March 1, 8, and 15 from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm. Topics will include general water use and flow, irrigation sprinkler systems, variable rate irrigation, agronomics, maintenance, energy costs, and much more. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Participation is capped at 25 individuals and the cost is $75. For more information and to register, go to https://z.umn.edu/MIP23registration.

MIP attendance is one of the requirements for the Irrigation Endorsement awarded by the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program and certified producers are eligible for tuition reimbursement. Contact your local MAWQCP certifier for more information.

Are you an irrigator concerned about matching your irrigation with crop water use? Are you wondering how to improve water use efficiency and reduce water costs? The University of Minnesota Extension is offering the Minnesota Irrigator Program (MIP), to help answer these questions and more.

The three-day MIP will be held in person at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center in Farmington (same building as our office and Dakota County SWCD) on March 1, 8, and 15 from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm. Topics will include general water use and flow, irrigation sprinkler systems, variable rate irrigation, agronomics, maintenance, energy costs, and much more. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Participation is capped at 25 individuals and the cost is $75. For more information and to register, go to https://z.umn.edu/MIP23registration.

MIP attendance is one of the requirements for the Irrigation Endorsement awarded by the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program and certified producers are eligible for tuition reimbursement. Contact your local MAWQCP certifier for more information.

This spring and summer, the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) is leading an Alimagnet Lake alum (aluminum sulfate) treatment feasibility study. City of Burnsville and City of Apple Valley natural resources staff are also participating in the process. VRWJPO has hired a consultant, Barr Engineering, to conduct field work, analyze data and help put together the final feasibility report. This report is expected to be completed in July. We are hosting a public meeting on July 20, 2023 where the findings of the report will be presented.

What is an alum treatment?

An alum treatment is a common water quality improvement practice in shallow lakes that have excessive phosphorus and poor water clarity as a result of algae growth. Often times phosphorus is released into the water column from lake bottom sediments during the summer months. When alum is added to the water, it attaches to phosphorus and falls to the bottom of the lake, preventing it from feeding algae and improving water clarity. Increased clarity following alum treatments can also lead to increased aquatic plant growth, which help to keep phosphorus levels in check.

One of the first steps in planning for a potential alum treatment is to conduct a feasibility study, which will determine whether Alimagnet Lake is a good candidate for the treatment, and if it is, how to most effectively apply alum in the lake, and the estimated costs. The study will also look at alternative solutions to improve water quality, other than an alum treatment.

At the public meeting, there will be a short presentation to present the findings of the study and then time for attendees to ask questions or provide feedback on the findings. If alum treatment is determined to be a feasible option for Alimagnet Lake, VRWJPO would anticipate applying for a grant in late summer of 2023 to obtain funding to complete the work. No treatment would occur prior to 2024.

If you have any questions regarding the public meeting, please feel free to contact Caleb at 952-895-4543 or caleb.ashling@burnsvillemn.gov.