Shoreline and Streambank Restoration
The Kanabec Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) along with the IMPACK 6 Technical Service Area are announcing that technical assistance is available for SHORELINE AND STREAMBANK RESTORATION AND VEGETATION DESIGN. Nick Solomon, Vegetation Restoration Specialist with IMPACK 6 and Kelly Osterdyk, District Manager with the Kanabec SWCD will be available this year for site visits to your property. Contact Kelly Osterdyk at (320)679-3781 (113) for more information or to set up an appointment.
Water quality issues are plentiful and can be addressed on each individual property on a lake, stream or wetland. Start by addressing the erosion problems. Erosion, which is caused by runoff and concentrated flow, can cause water quality degradation in public waters. Erosion eats away at the shoreline or stream bank, causing you to lose valuable property. As the water moves across your property toward the shoreline it builds up velocity and washes soil particles into the water. These soil particles have phosphorus attached to them. The phosphorus then enters the water and helps turn the water green and cloudy.
As water runs off impervious surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, compacted soil, and roofs it transports leftover fertilizer and grass clippings toward the waterbody. To minimize the amount of phosphorus that enters the water use zero phosphorus fertilizer (10-0-10). It’s the law! Also, a vegetated buffer along the shore will help stop some of the pollutants and nutrients before they reach the water. If you want to start small, try not mowing the strip of your lawn closest to the water to slow the runoff.
Some design assistance may also be available for rain gardens on private property. A rain garden is a basin designed to catch the first flush of runoff after a rain. The first ½ inch of rainfall carries most of the pollutants to the waterbody. A rain garden is NOT a pond, a water feature, or a fountain location. Rain gardens are designed to hold water for about 24 hours allowing the plants to uptake the water and nutrients that have run into the garden. The plants in the garden are able to withstand wet feet for a short amount of time, but are not aquatic and need the water to drain effectively.
6 Comments on Shoreland and Streambank Restoration in Isanti, Mille Lacs, Pine, Aitkin, Chisago, and Kanabec Counties, Minnesota
Most people don't know the law about using zero phosphorus fertilizer. Thanks. I think I may make a blog about that subject myself.
Is eurasian milfoil as much of a problem up there as it is down here in the metro area? Lakeshore owners and boaters are annoyed by it, but some locals think it benefits the muskie population. Do you hear anything like that up there?
I for one am HIGHLY opposed to chemical treatment of aquatic vegetation. Rush lake, where we call home, has a Curly Leaf Pond weed problem. THis plant is unique in that it starts growing throughout the winter, and dies off in Late June and July. The lake association here has been spraying heavily for these weeds, and i think it has been a detriment. What happens to all the dead plants? THey die, fall to the bottom, and add even more to the already heavy phosphorus base in the lake.
Eurasion water milfoil, is a different plant, that is actually quite helpful to a lake. It provides excellent cover for fish, and organisms that fish eat. It filters the lake, taking phosphorus out of the lake. Look at Lake Minnetonka, where it first appeared here in Minnesota, there wasa huge uproar from resident to eradicate. You CANT eradicate it!
Another HUGE problem is the use of chemicals or machines to "Improve" lakeshore. THis is EXTREMELY harmful to a lake, taking away cover for fish, allowing more erosion from shores. THis is an issue I am VERY passionate about!!
Joslyn Panka - Minnesota's One Way Ticket to SOLD!
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Most people don't know the law about using zero phosphorus fertilizer. Thanks. I think I may make a blog about that subject myself.
Is eurasian milfoil as much of a problem up there as it is down here in the metro area? Lakeshore owners and boaters are annoyed by it, but some locals think it benefits the muskie population. Do you hear anything like that up there?
http://www.realestatetwincities.net/minnesota-lakes/