The Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act (1982) assigns planning and management responsibilities for water resources to local government units in the metropolitan area. Watershed Districts (WD) or Watershed Management Organizations (WMO) were established to prepare and implement comprehensive surface water management plans. In 1987 the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources was formed from other state agencies to establish rules and administer the program.

In Anoka County, two Watershed Districts (Coon Creek WD & Rice Creek WD) and five Watershed Management Organizations (Mississippi WMO, Upper Rum River WMO, Lower Rum River WMO, Sunrise River WMO and Vadnais Lake Area WMO) are responsible for preparing plans to:

• Protect and preserve natural surface and groundwater resources;
• minimize public expenditures to correct flooding and water quality problems;
• plan for means to protect surface and groundwater quality;
• prevent erosion of soil into surface water systems;
• promote groundwater recharge; and
• protect and enhance wildlife habitat and water recreational facilities.

The WMO/WD collaborates with each city or township within their watershed to create and implement its own local water management plan. The first plans established a variety of local controls to reduce erosion and sedimentation, storm water design standards (to reduce water pollution), and protect wetlands. During planning and implementation, communities within the watersheds developed stronger working relationships.

Watersheds (Anoka County Geographic Information System)

In 1992, the Board of Water and Soil Resources developed rules (Minnesota Rules Chapter 8410) for plan content and updates every 5 to 10 years. Local programs emphasize greater citizen participation, control of erosion and sedimentation, wetland assessment, and the design of new storm water conveyance, ponding, and treatment systems.

Although surface water and groundwater share a connection in Anoka County, they are essentially dealt with separately in Minnesota law. Surface water management is addressed through WMO/WD plans; groundwater management is addressed through water coordination within Anoka County. The Anoka County Water Task Force, comprised of representatives of communities, watershed organizations, lake improvement districts, county agencies, well drillers, realtors, property managers and citizens collaborated to produce the Water Resources Report (2014). The Task Force collaborates to identify and prioritize water issues that benefit residents, businesses and future generations. For more information see the Task Force brochure or contact Bart Biernat (763-422-6985, Bart.Biernat@co.anoka.mn.us) with Anoka County Environmental Services.

Every Kid in a Park is a national initiative to engage and create supporters and advocates of nature’s environment and provide an appreciation of America’s history and culture. The immediate goal is to provide an opportunity for every child across the country to experience America’s public lands and waters in person throughout the 2016-2017 school year.

Parents, teachers, families, and children, explore together the millions of acres of national parks, historic structures, cultural artifacts, ancient forests, snow-capped mountains, and clear blue lakes. 4th graders and their families (or classrooms) get free access to hundreds of parks, lands and waters for the entire school year. To begin, access an Every Kid in a Park pass. The pass will give you free access to national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and more!

Fourth-grade teachers can also download activities and print Free National Park passes for each student. The passes are good through August 31, 2017. Get yours today and plan a trip! For information, please contact via email everykidinapark@ios.doi.gov or visit https://www.everykidinapark.gov/.

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area extends 72 miles along the Mississippi River. Part of the park extends along the Anoka County border in Ramsey, Anoka, Coon Rapids and Fridley where there’s a dam and water treatment works draw water for people. You can learn about river ecosystems at several of the recreation area’s visitor centers, including an interpretive center in Minneapolis. A heron rookery lies just downstream. Across the river in St. Paul, the Mississippi River Visitor Center helps you explore the park and plan activities — from river walks and canoeing to biking and birding. In the winter, visitors often don snowshoes or cross-country skis to traverse river trails. Numerous points of interest lie just north and south of the Minneapolis area, including Hastings River Flats where a dam provides a perfect ecosystem for the eagles you can observe there.

Did you know: At Lake Itasca, where the Mississippi River begins, the river elevation is 1,475 feet above sea level. And is 841 feet at the Coon Rapids Dam. It drops to sea level at the Gulf of Mexico. More than half of that drop occurs within the state of Minnesota.

Voyageurs National Park – A little more than a half-day drive from the Twin Cities, Voyageurs National Park lies due north near the Canadian border. Voyageur is a French word meaning “traveler,” and pertains especially to those involved with the North American fur trade in the 1700s. Hardy men paddled large canoes on connecting lakes and rivers on a route stretching from northwest Canada to Montreal and through what is now the park. Water covers almost 40 percent of the park. The Rainy Lake Visitor Center features a film and exhibits detailing the area’s history and voyageur routes. Many visitors rent houseboats and explore wilderness areas punctuated by many islands. Hikers may choose from nine trails, from short loop walks to back country excursions. On your hike, you may see black bear and white-tailed deer, and in winter may spot fox and otter on frozen ponds. Visitors with additional time can visit Grand Portage National Monument, a park that marks the spot where voyageurs and Native Americans made a “grand portage” between Lake Superior and inland waterways. The park is northwest of Duluth on Lake Superior.

(UPDATE 8/21/2016) StarTribune report Study seeks best ways to curb surge in summer watering.

It doesn’t make sense to water the lawn during a rainstorm. And common sense tells us that sprinkling the lawn in the morning after an overnight storm is… well dumb and wasteful. If you water your lawn with a hose you probably know that. But, if you have an in-ground automatic irrigation system – does the system know that?

Smart Irrigation Controller

Homes and businesses use three times the water in the summer as winter – to keep lawns green. The University of Minnesota Extension Service – Lawns and Turfgrass Management Program has determined that water is often wasted on lawns. However, by understanding your grass plant, and sprinkling efficiently, you can conserve water and develop grass that is healthy and resistant to diseases and drought.

Many irrigation systems are controlled by a timer. A timed system will irrigate lawn and bushes whether it needs it or not. If the turf is overwatered it will runoff onto sidewalks, into street gutters and down storm sewers, wasted water.

Smart Irrigation.  Minnesota Law requires that all automatic operated irrigation systems have a controller that does not irrigate during rain or when the lawn has enough water.  Programmed and properly operating Smart Irrigation makes sense for the homeowners and property owners that want a great property, vibrant community and sustained local water resources.

WaterSense (an EPA partnership program) seeks to protect the future of our water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water with water-efficient products and services. WaterSense labeled irrigation controllers, act like a thermostat for your sprinkler system telling it when to turn on and off, use local weather and landscape conditions to tailor watering schedules to actual conditions on your property. Smart Irrigation controllers allow watering schedules to better match plants’ water needs. With proper installation, programming, and maintenance, Smart Irrigation controllers and systems irrigate turf and landscape efficiently while using local water resources in a sustainable way.

The Irrigation Association is a national organization of irrigation companies and professionals that are dedicate to efficient irrigation and to long-term sustainability of water resources for future generations.

To see if your irrigation system is smart enough to meet Minnesota’s standards and is programmed properly to use water in a sustainable way, contact your local irrigation or landscape professional.

Over-watering can cause Yellow Nutsedge (noxious weed)  to replace Kentucky Blue Grass.