Unlike our sanitary sewers, water, trash, and other debris entering storm drains are not routed to a treatment facility; instead, they drain into wetlands, lakes, and rivers. Some stormwater pipes drain directly to these waterbodies, while others may first pass through features like manmade ponds to provide some treatment. In either case, reducing pollution at the source is the most effective way to protect our local waters. To this end, the need to keep trash and debris out of the streets is clear. However, when flushed down the storm drain, even organic plant materials such as grass clippings, leaves, and other yard waste also contribute to harmful nutrient pollution, causing algae blooms, reduced oxygen levels, and other issues in downstream waters. 

Keeping excess plant material out of the street isn't just beneficial for water quality; it also prevents flooding, reduces the cost of storm sewer maintenance and repair, and improves travel safety. It's for these reasons that intentionally blowing leaves, grass clippings, or other materials into the street is illegal in most Minnesota cities. Instead, dispose of them at your local compost facility or through a curbside yard waste provider. If you'd like to play a more active role in improving stormwater quality, consider becoming involved in the Adopt-a-Drain program. For more information contact Breanna Keith, Water Resource Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

Are you sick of goose poop covering your lawn? Plant a buffer of native grasses, flowers, and shrubs along your shoreline to keep them out! Geese are drawn to open spaces with short, well-fertilized grass, which provides them with a buffet of their favorite food and a sense of security with the ability to easily spot predators. Add water (your lake) to the mix, and you've created an easily accessible 'goose haven'. Taller, denser vegetation along the water's edge deters geese from accessing your lawn from the lake, encouraging them to move along in search of greener pastures.  

The thicker the buffer, the more effective it will be. Not only do buffers discourage nuisance wildlife – they also provide a multitude of other benefits, including protecting your shoreline from erosion, improving water quality, and providing food and habitat for pollinators. You can use this helpful collection of technical resources, produced by the Minnesota DNR, to plan your buffer project. For more information, contact Breanna Keith, Water Resource Specialist, at Breanna.Keith@AnokaSWCD.  

Vernal pools are shallow wetlands that fill with water in the spring and fall, then often dry out in the summer. They may appear like large puddles, but these depressions are brimming with life and help improve water quality. By capturing water from snowmelt and heavy rainfall, vernal pools reduce the amount of runoff (and therefore the contaminants it carries) reaching nearby surface waters and developed lands. This lowers flooding risks, improves water quality, and contributes to groundwater recharge as the trapped water slowly infiltrates through the soil. 

Vernal pools rarely contain fish because their water levels fluctuate dramatically. This creates a safe haven for many amphibians and aquatic invertebrates that would otherwise be heavily preyed upon. While some depend on vernal pools during only their vulnerable egg and larval stages, others spend their entire life within or near them. These small wetlands also provide food, water, and refuge for many other wildlife species such as ducks, turtles, and snakes. Benefits stem beyond the pool itself as several aquatic insect larvae transform to flying adults, serving as forage for insectivores like songbirds and bats.

Vernal pools are highly sensitive to environmental changes. Because they are nearly invisible for much of the summer, they can be easily missed and destroyed if the land is modified. You can help protect vernal pools on your property by noting their boundaries when visible in the spring and avoiding disturbance throughout the year. This is also a great time to explore the abundance of wildlife in and around these wetlands! For more information contact Breanna Keith, Water Resource Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Additional Resources
"Spring-to-Life Ponds": an Illustrated Learning Guide, produced by the MNDNR
MN Frog ID and Calls and Common Vernal Pool Invertebrates, produced by the MPCA and the University of Wisconsin
Locating and Protecting Vernal Pools, produced by the MN Land Trust

Designs have been completed and construction planning is underway for nine shoreline restorations on Martin, Coon, and Linwood lakes in Anoka County. Sites were selected based on the severity of erosion, and therefore the amount of nutrients and sediment they're contributing to the lake. A variety of 'bioengineering' approaches will be applied, utilizing natural materials such as vegetation, wood, coir logs, and rock to stabilize the shoreline while enhancing habitat for fish and wildlife. Funding is provided by a Clean Water Fund grant, the Sunrise River Watershed Management Organization, and landowner match. Stay tuned for more updates! For more information contact Breanna Keith, Water Resource Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.