Thursday, May 9, 2013
Find out how your favorite bay did on the Minnethaha Creek Watershed District's latest report card.
The water quality of most Lake Minnetonka bays ticked up a notch or remained static in the last year, according to data released today by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD), and graded as generally good or better in most areas. The report includes information collected by the MCWD, Three Rivers Park District and citizen monitors. Fourteen of Lake Minnetonka's 31 bays and ponds received a grade of "B" or better, and seven bays improved their marks from a year ago (just one did so from 2010-2011). Additionally, seven bays and ponds with a grade of B+ or better retained their marks. Because they are able to absorb higher levels of contaminants, bays with deeper water consistently receive higher grades that shallow areas. Lake …
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Anticipated 2013 activities include more monitoring and inspections on Lake Minnetonka and surrounding bodies of water.
With ice now officially out on Lake Minnetonka, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) is preparing for the fishing opener and is working to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in area lakes and streams this season. Early detection of potential new infestations is a key element of the district’s AIS prevention and management program for 2013. As part of that work, it’s broadening its monitoring of district lakes that are not yet infested with zebra mussels. Spotting an AIS infestation early increases the ability to contain it and prevent it from disrupting an entire water body’s ecosystem. Related posts: Among the plans for this season are installing zebra mussel monitoring devices in many lakes within the district…
Monday, April 29, 2013
Apply for a cost share grant from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District by May 31.
As property owners make plans for their gardens and landscaping this spring, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) is offering a helping hand. The MCWD Cost Share program is offering grants to those who want to help protect clean water by installing raingardens, shoreline or streambank plantings, pervious concrete driveways or other stormwater best management practices (BMPs). Grants are available to any public or private property located within the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, including residential homes, apartments, businesses, schools or cities. The deadline for most residential projects is May 31. Polluted stormwater runoff is the biggest threat to water quality across the state and nation. In a natural environment, …
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Training session planned May 14 in Hopkins will train residents interested in participating in Minnehaha Creek Watershed District's volunteer monitoring program.
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Wednesday, April 24
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) is preparing for the open water season and preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the area's lakes and streams. A key component of the MCWD's 2013 AIS prevention and management program is early detection of any potential new infestations, and the watershed district is expanding its monitoring of non-zebra mussel infested waters—and creating a volunteer monitoring program to help spot new infestations. A training session for residents interested in participating in the district’s volunteer monitoring program will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, at Eisenhower Community Center in Hopkins. In addition to training citizen monitors, the MCWD’s other early detection …
Thursday, March 21, 2013
The organization is seeking input through an online survey.
The three open houses that the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District hosted in February and March are past, but residents can still share their thoughts on clean water online. The organization has created a survey website—www.WeighInOnCleanWater.com—that allows people to share their biggest concerns, say whether the district is headed in the right direction and let officials know where they get their information. The survey will help guide the district’s future—and it only takes a few minutes.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
During the first year of the pilot in 2013, the program will focus on the Minneapolis neighborhoods surrounding Minnehaha Creek and the Chain of Lakes. In the second year, the program will expand to additional neighborhoods in Minneapolis and the suburbs
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Tuesday, February 19
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD), in partnership with the Freshwater Society, has announced a new clean water educational resource for local communities: The Master Water Stewards program. Applications are now being accepted for the three-year pilot program which will recruit and train volunteers to work with individuals and organizations in their communities to protect and clean up local lakes, streams and wetlands. Polluted stormwater runoff is one of the greatest threats to the health of our surface waters. In addition to educating their neighbors about reducing runoff, the Master Water Stewards will work on runoff prevention projects, such as rain gardens and water-permeable driveways. They also will coordinate community …
Monday, February 11, 2013
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District covers approximately 181 square miles, including Minnehaha Creek, Lake Minnetonka, the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes and Minnehaha Falls.
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District has a pair of job openings for temporary Water Quality Assistants. One position is for two years, the other runs from May to August. Pay for the two-year opening starts at $14 an hour for 30-40 hours per week, including some nights and weekends. Education qualifications are either a student who is currently enrolled or has recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in the field of natural resources, water resources, biological studies, environmental science, limnology, hydrology, civil engineering or related field. Water quality assistants provide technical support and assistance in the protection, improvement and management of the surface waters within the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. This …
44.942131
-93.510933
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
18202 Minnetonka Blvd, Wayzata, MN
/articles/minnehaha-watershed-district-hiring-water-quality-assistants
1903545
/locations/8788141
Friday, February 8, 2013
Community members can also weight in online about what's important to them when it comes to the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) wants the public to weigh in on clean water and is hosting three open houses in locations across the district to find out what aspects of protecting clean water are important to community members. The input will provide valuable insight as the District develops a strategic plan for long-term management and protection of local water resources. “These open houses are the perfect chance for community members to let us know what’s important to them when it comes to watershed management and achieving clean water,” Jim Calkins, MCWD President said. “For some, it might be more aquatic invasive species prevention—or for others, it could be a need for more environmental education. Whatever your …
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Restoration project will preserve more than 200 acres of agricultural land and Six Mile Marsh wetland in Minnetrista.
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Wednesday, January 9
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) is hosting a community meeting on the Six Mile Marsh Prairie Restoration on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 6:30pm at the Gillespie Center (2590 Commerce Boulevard) in Mound. The public is welcome and invited to attend. The project will restore and preserve more than 200 acres of agricultural land and Six Mile Marsh wetland in Minnetrista. Preliminary design work has been completed and the MCWD is seeking input from community members before finalizing the design. The restoration site features steep slopes that allow eroded soil and other pollutants to flow into Six Mile Marsh and Halsted Bay during rain events. Halsted Bay, the westernmost bay in Lake Minnetonka, has a water quality grade of “D” that’s …
44.93136
-93.66928
Gillespie Community Center
2590 Commerce Blvd, Mound, MN
/articles/watershed-district-invites-public-to-community-meeting-on-six-mile-marsh
1913933
/locations/8561598
Monday, December 17, 2012
Fight against nitiatives to be funded without increase in tax levy.
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Monday, December 17, 2012
On Thursday, Dec. 13, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) Board of Managers approved enhanced Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) prevention and management measures for 2013. The 2013 program will be funded though savings from other district projects instead of a previously-considered property tax increase. This will be the fourth year that the District has not increased its property tax levy. “The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District remains committed to providing high quality natural resource management and being good environmental and fiscal stewards. After receiving considerable input from residents and other stakeholders and considering the need for quick action, the District is moving forward with a carefully-developed, community…
Oscar Falls
7:53 am on Friday, May 10, 2013
Dude, its the zebra mussels. They will make the lake clearer, but will allow the milfoil to grow unchecked. more ›