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"State of the River" Report 2018 budget 25 by 25 Ag Water Quality Certification agriculture ais Alimagnet Angry Inch Angry Inch Brewery Apple Valley Apple Valley Senior Center aquatic invasive species astronomy bird watching board meeting buckthorn removal Burnsville Carpenter Nature Center Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center citizen advisory group Clean Water Summit 2016 climate Coca-Cola Refreshments in Eagan Minn. Conservation Minnesota County Fair CP Adams Park Dakota County Dakota County Parks Dakota County SWCD de-icing workshop Eagan Earth Day exhibits Farmington field day fishing FMR Fortin Consulting Freshwater Society Friends of CNC Friends of the Mississippi River Governor Dayton Greenway groundwater Hastings Hastings Environmental Protectors Hastings Sand Coulee SNA information meeting invasive species removal Inver Grove Heights irrigation Kevin Smith Lake Marion Lakeville landscape for the river landscaping for clean water lawn and garden lawns MAISRC Master Water Stewards Mike Lynch Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Minnesota Institute of Astrophysics Minnesota Landscape Arboretum minnesota pollution control agency Minnesota StarWatch Mississippi River MPCA MWS native plants nitrates North Creek Parks Pine Bend SNA planting for clean planting for clean water pollinators prairie seed collection private wells public hearing public meeting rain barrel rainbarrel redevelopment rosemount salt sand coulee SNA Schaar's Bluff Gathering Center scientific and natural area scott swcd Smart Salting snow and ice best practices South Branch Vermillion River Spring Lake Park St. Croix Valley Bird Club star map starry stonewort starry trek stormwater retrofits SWCD TAG Technical Advisory Group Technical Advisory Group (TAG) tour town hall township officers Trevor Russell trout stream Trout Unlimited TU turfgrass maintenance Twin Cities Trout Unlimited UMN Extension University of Minnesota urban urban best management practices Vermillion Falls Park Vermillion River Vermillion River Aquatic Management Area Vermillion River Watershed Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization Vermillion Riverkeepers Vermillion Stewards volunteer VRWJPB VRWJPO VRWPC water conservation water quality Water treatment watershed management Watershed Plan watershed planning commission Watershed Planning Commission (WPC) We Are Water MN Whitetail Woods Regional Park winter road maintenance WPC
Minnesota Irrigator Program
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.
Minnesota Irrigator Program
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.
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.
South Branch Vermillion River Habitat Day
Join Twin Cities Trout Unlimited as they help the DNR improve the Vermillion River and this Aquatic Management Area for wildlife and anglers.
Work will include:
-Removing buckthorn, honeysuckle and other invasive species
-Pulling debris out of the water
-Picking up trash
Bring heavy work gloves and a willingness to work hard and maybe get wet!
Vermillion River-Kummer AMA Habitat Day
This event is part of Twin Cities Trout Unlimited’s Vermillion River Initiative-a focus on protecting and enhancing this cold water stream so near to the Twin Cities! Join us TCTU as they help the DNR continue to restore the Vermillion River & this Aquatic Management Area for wildlife.
Work will include:
-Removing buckthorn, other invasive species and boxelders
-Dragging and dropping the brush into piles
-Picking up any trash we find
Bring heavy work gloves and a willingness to work hard.
There won’t be any in-water work, but we’ll be able to keep our eyes open for trout!
In case this is cancelled, the back-up day will be June 8, same time and place.
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 for 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.
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 for 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.
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 for 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.