Education

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Education

Did you know… the thousands of tons of salt applied to roads, parking lots and sidewalks in winter end up in our lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands? Clean water in the Twin Cities metro area is in jeopardy.  Before the winter REALLY kicks in, learn how you can control snow and ice without polluting our waters. Watch Improved Winter Maintenance: Good Choices for Clean Water, an eye-opening 15-minute show about choices you can make.

Erosion Control

If you have questions on whether or not your project needs erosion control or what methods to use, please call the Public Works Department at (763) 706-3700.

Keeping Your Storm Sewer Drains Clean
Please help keep the storm sewer drains in front of your home free of grass, leaves, and debris. Flooding and negative impacts on pond water quality can occur when storm sewer drains are not kept clean.

Ponds 
Wherever possible, the Parks Department maintains a buffer of undisturbed vegetation along the shoreline of ponds and streams. These buffers provide a variety of benefits, including the filtration and absorption of runoff water before it enters streams and ponds. These buffers also provide shoreline stabilization, which prevents grass clippings and fertilizers from being blown or spread into the water. They also provide wildlife habitat.

Phosphorus Reduction
Minnesota has had phosphorus standards for lakes since 2008. Silver Lake, which is partially located in Columbia Heights, has a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL).  The existing load based on modeling years 2006-2007 is 92.5 lbs/year with the target load being 85.7 lbs/year.  Reduction of phosphorus from urban runoff in the watershed by retrofitting Best Management Practices (BMP) would have the most impact on reducing phosphorus loads and improving water quality in Silver Lake.  Examples of BMP would be to increase ponding and filtration in the Silver Lake watershed through the use of regional ponds, rain gardens, native plantings and reforestation, retrofit detention ponds, encourage shoreline restoration, and educate property owners about proper fertilizer use and low-impact lawn care practices.

Additional Information