Agenda
Agenda
April 2023 – August 2024 Apr 2023 – Aug 2024
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Apr
13
Thu
2023
Landscaping for Clean Water Shoreline Course @ Mendota Heights City Hall
Tickets
Apr 13 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Landscaping for Clean Water Shoreline Course @ Mendota Heights City Hall | Mendota Heights | Minnesota | United States

Landscaping for Clean Water Shoreline Course

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Categories: Events Outreach Workshop Tags: Dakota County SWCD landscaping for clean water native plants planting for clean water turfgrass maintenance water quality
May
12
Fri
2023
Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course @ Apple Valley Municipal Center McIntosh Training Room
Tickets
May 12 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course @ Apple Valley Municipal Center McIntosh Training Room

Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course

After completing the Introduction to Clean Water class, you are eligible to enroll in the Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course. While the Landscaping for Clean Water program is open to anyone, the $250 cost share grants are only available to Dakota County residents and Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization residents in Ramsey County.

The Landscaping for Clean Water Design Course helps residents like you create and install beautiful landscaping projects that are unique to your yard! This course is a great opportunity to learn about garden planning from the experts, whether you are interested in finding out about site design, plant selection, raingarden installation, or adding native plants to the landscape.

In 2023, the Design Course Online Learning Materials will be provided to all participants for project planning at home. In addition, we are offering three in-person Design Course options this year:

IN-PERSON DESIGN COURSE OPTIONS

  • Tuesday/Thursday – April 18/20
    Burnsville City Hall
    6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
  • Friday – May 12
    Apple Valley Municipal Center
    12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday/Thursday – June 20/22
    Mendota Heights Fire Station
    6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

There is a $25.00 registration fee for the Design Course that includes a copy of the Blue Thumb Guide to Raingardens book, a Design Folder including aerial property maps and design tools, online instruction materials and one-on-one help.

Are you a returning Design Course participant? Register again for the Design Course and the FEE is WAIVED!

APPLY FOR A $250 GARDEN GRANT!

At the end of the Design Course you will have a complete garden project planned and ready to install. You then have the opportunity to apply for a $250 cost share grant, funded by Dakota County watershed organizations. The grant (paid at completion of project) includes in-person site visits at your property and technical assistance from our staff available to you throughout the installation process.

The 2023 grants will be awarded in three rounds, as follows:

2023 Application Date Project Completion
Round 1 April 26, 2023 July 21, 2023
Round 2 May 31, 2023 August 25, 2023
Round 3 July 12, 2023 October 6, 2023
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Categories: Events Outreach Workshop Tags: Apple Valley Dakota County SWCD landscaping for clean water Master Water Stewards native plants planting for clean water SWCD Vermillion River Watershed water quality
Jul
20
Thu
2023
Public Meeting: Alimagnet Lake alum treatment @ Burnsville City Hall, Dakota Room in lower level
Tickets
Jul 20 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Public Meeting: Alimagnet Lake Feasibility Study

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.

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Categories: Events Meetings Tags: Alimagnet Apple Valley Burnsville public meeting Vermillion River Watershed Water treatment
Jan
16
Tue
2024
Community Conversation – Vermillion River Watershed Plan @ Lakeville Water Treatment Facility
Tickets
Jan 16 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Community Conversation – Lakeville

The Vermillion River Watershed invites you to attend our first round of Community Conversations in January! This is your opportunity to learn about the watershed, comment on goals, share concerns, and inform the watershed’s next generation management plan.

Come at 5 p.m. for a short introduction about the watershed from Administrator Travis Thiel; or stop by any time before 7 p.m. to enjoy snacks, get refreshed at the Water Bar, and chat with staff. Kid-friendly activity stations will be available to occupy little ones, so feel free to bring the family. Participants who provide feedback will be eligible to spin a prize wheel to win a $10 gift card to Fluegel’s, Fleet Farm, or Target, among other prizes!

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Categories: Events Meetings Outreach Tags: Lakeville public meeting Vermillion River Watershed water quality Watershed Plan
Jan
24
Wed
2024
Community Conversation – Vermillion River Watershed Plan @ Pleasant Hill Library
Tickets
Jan 24 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Community Conversation – Hastings

The Vermillion River Watershed invites you to attend our first round of Community Conversations in January! This is your opportunity to learn about the watershed, comment on goals, share concerns, and inform the watershed’s next generation management plan.

Come at 5 p.m. for a short introduction about the watershed from Administrator Travis Thiel; or stop by any time before 7 p.m. to enjoy snacks, get refreshed at the Water Bar, and chat with staff. Kid-friendly activity stations will be available to occupy little ones, so feel free to bring the family. Participants who provide feedback will be eligible to spin a prize wheel to win a $10 gift card to Fluegel’s, Fleet Farm, or Target, among other prizes!

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Categories: Events Meetings Outreach Tags: Hastings public meeting Vermillion River Watershed water quality Watershed Plan
Aug
7
Wed
2024
Irrigation Water Testing – Vermillion @ Vermillion City Hall
Tickets
Aug 7 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Irrigation Water Testing – Vermillion (city)

Dakota County, the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center will be offering farmers who irrigate their crops the opportunity to test their irrigation water for nitrogen. Testing is at no cost.

Participants will receive their results the same day. They will learn how to credit nitrate in their irrigation water for next year’s nutrient management plans. Participants will also walk through the Irrigation Management Assistant (IMA) Tool with a SWCD staff member. The tool helps with irrigation scheduling.

Private well owners can also have their drinking water tested for nitrate. They will receive their results and treatment recommendations, if applicable.

Sampling instructions for irrigators

Samples may be taken the day of analysis or ahead of time. Samples taken ahead of time must be frozen until attending a session to prevent samples from degrading.

Participants may bring in several frozen samples collected over a period of several days to get a more representative result.

Samples can be collected directly from irrigators or by installing a boiler drain to a pivot point or the well itself.

If sampling directly from irrigators:

  • Allow irrigators to pump water for at least 15 minutes before sampling.
  • Fill a clean 5-gallon bucket, or similar container. Mix before collecting the sample.
  • Collect the test sample in a small Ziploc bag or a clean bottle or container. Only about 1 ounce of water is needed for testing.

Sampling instructions f​or private well owners

  • Collect samples from your primary drinking water source after eight hours of nonuse, preferably first thing in the morning
  • Collect your sample in a small Ziplock bag or clean bottle or container
  • Do not run the water before sampling — collect the first draw in the container
  • Only about 1 ​ounce of water is needed for testing, but collecting extra is advised.​

Test results

Nitrogen results are confidential. Participants are not required to take any action after testing. They will receive their results and information on nitrogen crediting.​

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Categories: Events Outreach Workshop Tags: agriculture Dakota County Dakota County SWCD irrigation nitrates private wells water quality
Aug
15
Thu
2024
Irrigation Water Testing – Farmington @ Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center
Tickets
Aug 15 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Irrigation Water Testing – Farmington

Dakota County, the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center will be offering farmers who irrigate their crops the opportunity to test their irrigation water for nitrogen. Testing is at no cost.

Participants will receive their results the same day. They will learn how to credit nitrate in their irrigation water for next year’s nutrient management plans. Participants will also walk through the Irrigation Management Assistant (IMA) Tool with a SWCD staff member. The tool helps with irrigation scheduling.

Private well owners can also have their drinking water tested for nitrate. They will receive their results and treatment recommendations, if applicable.

Sampling instructions for irrigators

Samples may be taken the day of analysis or ahead of time. Samples taken ahead of time must be frozen until attending a session to prevent samples from degrading.

Participants may bring in several frozen samples collected over a period of several days to get a more representative result.

Samples can be collected directly from irrigators or by installing a boiler drain to a pivot point or the well itself.

If sampling directly from irrigators:

  • Allow irrigators to pump water for at least 15 minutes before sampling.
  • Fill a clean 5-gallon bucket, or similar container. Mix before collecting the sample.
  • Collect the test sample in a small Ziploc bag or a clean bottle or container. Only about 1 ounce of water is needed for testing.

Sampling instructions f​or private well owners

  • Collect samples from your primary drinking water source after eight hours of nonuse, preferably first thing in the morning
  • Collect your sample in a small Ziplock bag or clean bottle or container
  • Do not run the water before sampling — collect the first draw in the container
  • Only about 1 ​ounce of water is needed for testing, but collecting extra is advised.​

Test results

Nitrogen results are confidential. Participants are not required to take any action after testing. They will receive their results and information on nitrogen crediting.​

Read more
Categories: Events Outreach Workshop Tags: agriculture Dakota County Dakota County SWCD Farmington irrigation nitrates private wells water quality
Aug
20
Tue
2024
Irrigation Water Testing – Marshan Twp @ Marshan Town Hall
Tickets
Aug 20 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Irrigation Water Testing – Marshan Township

Dakota County, the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center will be offering farmers who irrigate their crops the opportunity to test their irrigation water for nitrogen. Testing is at no cost.

Participants will receive their results the same day. They will learn how to credit nitrate in their irrigation water for next year’s nutrient management plans. Participants will also walk through the Irrigation Management Assistant (IMA) Tool with a SWCD staff member. The tool helps with irrigation scheduling.

Private well owners can also have their drinking water tested for nitrate. They will receive their results and treatment recommendations, if applicable.

Sampling instructions for irrigators

Samples may be taken the day of analysis or ahead of time. Samples taken ahead of time must be frozen until attending a session to prevent samples from degrading.

Participants may bring in several frozen samples collected over a period of several days to get a more representative result.

Samples can be collected directly from irrigators or by installing a boiler drain to a pivot point or the well itself.

If sampling directly from irrigators:

  • Allow irrigators to pump water for at least 15 minutes before sampling.
  • Fill a clean 5-gallon bucket, or similar container. Mix before collecting the sample.
  • Collect the test sample in a small Ziploc bag or a clean bottle or container. Only about 1 ounce of water is needed for testing.

Sampling instructions f​or private well owners

  • Collect samples from your primary drinking water source after eight hours of nonuse, preferably first thing in the morning
  • Collect your sample in a small Ziplock bag or clean bottle or container
  • Do not run the water before sampling — collect the first draw in the container
  • Only about 1 ​ounce of water is needed for testing, but collecting extra is advised.​

Test results

Nitrogen results are confidential. Participants are not required to take any action after testing. They will receive their results and information on nitrogen crediting.​

Read more
Categories: Events Outreach Workshop Tags: agriculture Dakota County Dakota County SWCD Farmington irrigation nitrates private wells water quality
April 2023 – August 2024 Apr 2023 – Aug 2024