Soil Erosion and Water Pollution

/ Published in stormwater runoff, water pollution, water quality
Soil Erosion Leads to Water Pollution
The relationship between water quality and soil erosion cannot be overemphasized. Soil erosion and residue management, especially surface water runoff, influence water quality. A silt fence, sometimes called a filter fence, is a temporary sediment control barrier used on construction sites to protect water quality in nearby waterways from sediment in stormwater runoff. The problem

Don’t Let Leaves Litter Lakes

/ Published in algae, water quality
Leaves in Storm Drain
The beautiful fall colors will soon give way to barren trees and piles of fallen leaves around our yards and neighborhoods.  The leaves decompose and restock the soil with nutrients and organic matter. However, those decomposing leaves may eventually make their way into lakes and rivers.  They get washed down streets and into storm drains

Fertilizers as Water Pollutants

/ Published in algae bloom, aquatic plant growth, aquatic plants, fish kill, phosphorus, water quality
Spreading Fertilizer on Farm Field
Article Credit: wisconsinlakes.org Fertilizers, leaves, grass clippings, eroded soil, and animal waste are all sources of nutrients, including phosphorus. Phosphorus is main nutrient that drives eutrophication (premature aging) in most lakes. Relatively small amounts of phosphorus can cause water quality declines. A concentration of 25 parts per billion of phosphorus in water can promote excessive

Fire-Retardant Chemicals Fight Wildfires

/ Published in water quality
Wooded Area on Fire
There are currently dozens of large wildfires burning over 7.8 million acres across western United States.  Many blame global warming for the increased wildfires, as temperatures rise and droughts continue to plague much of the U.S.  Fire seasons are longer and causing more frequent, large-scale, high-severity wildfires.  The risk of large wildfires is expected to

10 Reasons to Care about Aquatic Invasive Species

/ Published in aquatic invasive species, hydrilla, water quality
Aquatic Weeds Clogging Irrigation Canal
Written by Madeline Seveland, Education Coordinator with Carver County Water Management Invasive Species have been steadily gaining more interest with lawmakers, interest groups and the public since the introduction of zebra mussels into Lake Minnetonka and the threat of Asian carp in the Mississippi River. Here are the top ten reasons you should care about