E-Currents. Electronic Newsletter of the Crow River Organization of Water February 2009 CROW RIVER ORGANIZATION OF WATER

Transcription

1 E-Currents Electronic Newsletter of the Crow River Organization of Water February CROW RIVER ORGANIZATION OF WATER 2008 ANNUAL REPORT Improving water quality in the Crow River Basin through educational outreach and collaboration with our partners and citizens. 311 Brighton Ave, Suite C Buffalo, MN

2 JOINT POWERS BOARD Charles Woehler Sibley County, Chair Don Otte Stearns County, Vice Chair Paul Setzepfandt, Renville County 2nd Vice Chair Ron Kutzke Meeker County, Treasurer Ray Bayerl, McLeod County Secretary Tim Lynch, Carver County Randy Shaw, Pope County Dennis Peterson, Kandiyohi County Jack Russek, Wright County Penny Steele, Hennepin County CROW STAFF Diane Sander Watershed Coordinator Jenny Gieseke Watershed Specialist Dan Nadeau Watershed Technician 2

3 . TMDL Projects North Fork TMDL Project The North Fork Lower Crow River and its tributaries have several TMDLs on the state s 303(d) impaired waters list. Different stretches of the river or its tributaries are listed for different parameters including: low oxygen, turbidity, and fecal coliform. The North Fork TMDL project focuses on the low oxygen and turbidity impairments, and the main focus of the study is from Highway 4 in Wright County to the confluence of the Crow River with the Mississippi River near Dayton. During Phase I of the project, it was identified that the majority of DO violations occurred during the summer under relatively low flow conditions (Phase I Report - Brown and Caldwell 2008). Consequently, summer low flow is currently identified as the critical period for low dissolved oxygen. As a result, continuous DO monitoring during low flow conditions is being considered in addition to modeling. CROW is working with MPCA and Wenck to complete the Phase II part of the TMDL project which includes additional monitoring and providing stakeholder meetings. After Phase II is complete, Wenck will begin the modeling process to determine the TMDL load duration curve. Buffalo Creek TMDL Project The Buffalo Creek TMDL project is entering into its second year. During the first year, existing data was gathered and evaluated, and areas where additional monitoring is needed were identified. This project aims at identifying the sources of turbidity and fecal coliform impairments of Buffalo Creek, a main tributary of the South Fork Crow River. Due to the nature of this landscape, this project will require an extensive monitoring plan to determine flow and loading from the mostly agricultural watershed. Point and nonpoint sources need to be identified and contributions to water quality impairments in Buffalo Creek and ultimately the South Fork Crow River will be quantified. CROW staff began a sediment erosion assessment on Buffalo Creek and its tributaries. During the assessment, it was identified that Chl-a may be impacting turbidity. Therefore, it is anticipated that additional Chl-a monitoring and continued stream assessments will be conducted during As both projects progress Wenck, the MPCA and the CROW will work to keep area citizens and partners informed and up to date on the progress. Left: Dan Nadeau measures an exposed cut bank along a tributary to Buffalo Creek. Right: During the erosion assessment, plugged tile lines were found along tributaries to Buffalo Creek. 3

4 . IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS Working Together to Improve Water Quality The Working Together to Improve Water Quality project provides financial incentives to landowners for the implementation of best management practices that will improve water quality in the Crow River Basin. In addition, this project funds education initiatives and water quality monitoring in the Buffalo Creek Management Area. Funding for this project is provided through a MPCA 319 grant. Buffalo Creek is a major tributary of the South Fork Crow River and has its confluence near Lester Prairie. Buffalo Creek is listed as impaired on the d Impaired Waters list. Lake Marion, Lake Allie, Lake Preston, along with Buffalo Creek are the only water resources for recreational opportunities in the management area. Spring and summer recreational activities include: canoeing, fishing, and swimming. Fall and winter recreational activities include hunting, snowmobiling and ATV riding. It is imperative to continue to maintain a focused effort to succeed in restoring Buffalo Creek, a scarce recreational water resource located in the BCMA. During 2008 CROW along with local partners accomplished the following grant activities: 42.8 acres enrolled into CRP. Replaced 16 open tile intakes with rock intakes Lake Allie Sediment Basin in Renville County Ag Waste Upgrade in Renville County Streambank erosion control project in McLeod Co. 8 septic systems were upgraded Held a rain garden workshop Planted demonstration rain garden in McLeod County Provided a Watershed Tour Crow River Photo Contest & Educational Activities Rural Water Quality Improvement Project The Rural Water Quality Improvement Project is also funded through the MPCA s 319 grant program. This project focuses on implementation and education projects in the western portion of the watershed. Portions of McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Stearns, Kandiyohi and Wright Counties are included in this project. The majority of the funding for this project focuses on implementation projects. In addition, $770,000 in low interest loan dollars are available in Kandiyohi, Renville and McLeod Counties for septic system upgrades. In 2008, 41 septic systems have been installed. Two projects approved construction in 2008 include a streambank stabilization project in Lynn Township, McLeod County. The second project involves the installation of a drop structure and stabilization of a gully located in Meeker County. 4

5 Volunteer Monitoring Grant. EDUCATION ACTIVITIES In 2008 the CROW continued its partnership with the Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District and Minnesota Waters to host 2 Volunteer Monitoring Training Sessions and a Data Management Training Session was the second year in a two year project funded through the Clean Water Legacy Program. The Volunteer Monitoring training sessions were held in Glencoe and New London, and were attended by 35 volunteers. Participants in the trainings received hands on instruction on lake and stream monitoring. They also received equipment, datasheets and materials necessary to conduct monitoring on their own. The Data Management Training Session was held in Hutchinson and provided guidance to Citizen Stream and Lake Monitors on how to manage their data and to draw conclusions from it. The training session focused on manipulating data in Microsoft Excel, and emphasized the use of graphs and comparisons to ecoregional averages to convey data in a more understandable manner. The workshop was attended by 14 volunteers. We also added the opportunity for on-line data entry via the CROW and the Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District s websites. Volunteers are given an ID and a password and are then able to enter the data through the website. Data is stored in a shared database, and allows staff to regularly check and compare data as it is entered. In 2008, participants from the trainings collectively monitored 24 Stream/River sites and 5 Lake Sites in the Crow River Watershed. The citizen volunteers collected data using T-tubes and Secchi Disks, and pulled samples that were analyzed for TP, TSS, TKN and Chl a. The CROW and the Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District are incorporating the data collected by the volunteers into their regular data assessments. The Volunteer Monitoring Project has enabled the CROW to strengthen relationships with existing volunteers as well as expand our volunteer base. It has also provided the ground work for stronger working relationships with partners such as the Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District, Minnesota Waters and other area water resource professionals. Buffalo Creek Watershed Tour In October CROW hosted a tour of the Crow River Watershed. The tour focused on Buffalo Creek, the southern portion of the watershed. The tour showcased water quality improvements in McLeod and Renville Counties. The tour demonstrated cooperative partnerships and provided examples of conservation practices and projects of interest being applied on the ground by local agencies and organizations within the watershed. 5

6 Rain Garden Workshop In September the CROW teamed up with the University of Minnesota Extension Service to offer a Rain Garden Workshop in Glencoe, Minnesota. The workshop was held in conjunction with the State Master Gardener s Conference, but was also open to the public. The workshop consisted of a morning session where attendees were instructed on rain garden design, soil treatments and planting methods. The afternoon session provided hands on experience where volunteers helped to plant a demonstration rain garden at Christ Lutheran Church. Funding for the workshop and demonstration rain garden was provided through the Buffalo Creek 319 grant. Crow River Clean Up Day The 5 th annual Crow River Clean Up Day took place on rainy September day. The rain did not stop over 337 citizens from 18 communities across the Crow River Watershed from removing garbage and debris from the banks of the Crow River and its tributaries. In total, the clean up resulted in the removal of over 5.4 tons of trash from 43 miles of shoreline. Our youngest volunteer came in at the age of a whole six months! She helped her parents in the Brooten and Belgrade clean up area. Of the 43 miles of shoreline cleaned, the 2008 event was the first year that a continuous river stretch from Hanover to Dayton and a continuous 20 mile river stretch between Manannah and Kingston was tackled during the clean up event. This event would not be possible without the help and support from 62 local organizations and businesses. Earth Day Celebration at Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center In April, CROW colaborated with Prarie Woods Environmental Learning Center, area watershed projects, area watershed districts and Kandiyohi SWCD to coordinate the annual community event. The Earth Day celebration featured free omelets, free trees and free nitrate testing, along with informational booths, entertainment, kids activies and an expert panel on Ethanol Issues and Opportunities. The 2008 event was attended by over 900 people and supported and sponsored by over 20 local organizations. Citizen Stream Monitoring Program In 2008, 29 volunteers monitored 39 stream and river sites throughout the Watershed. The volunteers collect transparency and rain fall information pertaining to their individual sites. The volunteers take readings once a week from April through October. The CROW Citizen Stream Monitoring Program offers an opportunity for volunteers from around the watershed to monitor the transparency of a local stream or river. Volunteers enrolled in the CROW program are also part of the MPCA s statewide Citizen Stream Monitoring Program. Volunteers take readings once/week from April through October. The CROW used the volunteer data to assess which streams are in need of further assessment. In 2007, 29 volunteers monitored 51 stream and river sites in the Crow River Watershed. North Fork Crow River Canoe Trip The CROW helped to coordinate an educational Canoe Tour on the North Fork Crow River highlighting water quality, conservation practices/bmps, invasive species and sustainable farming practices. The tour was in partnership with the Crow River Chapter of the Sustainable Farming Association and Wright SWCD. 6

7 Other Outreach/Education Activities The CROW uses several methods to promote water quality awareness throughout the watershed. Photo Contest in 2008 the CROW sponsored its First Annual Photo Contest. Winners in 5 categories were selected from 78 photo entries. Contest categories included Fishing, Scenic, Wildlife, Active Recreation and Unusual Observation. First place winners from each of the 5 categories received $50. Photo Contest Winners: Wildlife Photo by Jodi Horsman, Kandiyohi County. Active Recreation Photo by Joyce Rust, Meeker County. Scenic Photo by Peggy Lueck, McLeod County. Fishing Photo by Kaleb Buesing, Carver County. Unusual Observation Photo by Dan Ahlborn, Carver County. Honorary Mentions: Fishing Photo by Kaleb Buesing, Carver County. Active Recreation Photo by Peggy Lueck, McLeod County. Wildlife Photo by Jodi Horsman, Kandiyohi County. Unusual Observation Photo by Kaleb Buesing, McLeod County. Scenic Photo by Peggy Lueck, McLeod County. 7

8 Youth Education - CROW staff visits local schools and youth groups to provide hands on environmental education experiences to area youth. In April, CROW participated in USFWS Habitat Day in Litchfield. Habitat Day is a community event that highlights a variety of wildlife and habitats through various informational booths, exhibits and demonstrations. In May, CROW participated in Renville County s WALK program. The Water Air Land Knowledge program is held at the Beaver Falls Wildlife Management Area in Renville County and provides approximately th graders with an outdoor education experience. The CROW staff participated in Wright SWCD Field Days at Ney Park. Staff provided water quality and macroinvertebrates presentations during the spring and fall event. Over 1,245 5 th graders from area Wright County Schools attended the event. CROW partnered with Wright SWCD and Science Museum of Minnesota to present ground water and water quality to th grade science students at Buffalo Middle School. CROW staff helped members of the Crow River Trail Guards in Paynesville sample macroinvertebrates in the North Fork Crow River and discussed water quality issues. In May the SWCD s of Area IV hosted their 13 th annual Envirothon competition. Area IV consists of Anoka, Benton, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Stearns, Washington and Wright counties. Envirothon is a competition for high school students (grades 9-12). Teams made up of 5 students visit five in-the-field test stations, where written and hands-on problem solving is required. Students will also give a 10-minute team presentation on the current issue. CROW staff was a judge for the oral presentation. E-Currents - the CROW creates and distributes an electronic newsletter via approximately 6 times per year. The newsletter is bimonthly and shares information about area water quality issues as well as the CROW s and area partners current projects. Website The CROW continues to maintain and update our website, with assistance from the Association of Minnesota Counties. Storm Drain Markers The CROW has storm drain stencils and decals available for use in communities throughout the watershed. Volunteers place the decals or paint using the stencils alongside storm drains. The message reads don t dump, drains to river to remind residents that storm water is not pretreated prior to entering our local lakes and rivers. Informational door hangars are distributed to homes in the areas where the stenciling occurs to explain the project further. The CROW partnered with Middle Fork Crow River Watershed and the communities of Atwater, Spicer, New London and Belgrade to conduct storm drain marking projects. Education Committee The CROW s Education Committee continues to meet quarterly to discuss water quality education activities throughout the watershed. In 2008 the main focus of the committee has been to get the Adopt the Crow River Watershed program up and running. The Education Committee also judged Photo Contest Entries and collaborates on ideas for workshops, educational materials and other activities in the watershed. The committee is comprised of local partners from around the watershed who are interested in increasing education activities relating to water quality. The committee meets quarterly. 8

9 . MONITORING ACTIVITIES The CROW s 2008 monitoring season involved sampling for a number of our different projects Monitoring Locations NF TMDL Monitoring Sites Grove Creek 7.5 miles NE of Grove City CASH 24 4 miles NE of Buffalo Lake Jewitts Creek 4 miles N of Litchfield CASH 4 1 ½ miles W of Albright CASH 9 2 ½ miles N of Waverly Mill Creek 3 ½ miles SW of Buffalo CD 31 4 miles NW of Delano CD 31 ARM 2 miles S of Montrose Delano on main bridge in Delano Rockford 2.8 miles W of Rockford Trib SM ½ mile S of St. Michael HWY miles E of St. Michael BC 319 & TMDL Monitoring Sites JD 15 3 ½ miles NE of Buffalo Lake CSAH 22 3 ½ miles E of Manannah Brownton ½ miles E of Brownton Glencoe 2 miles E of Glencoe 9

10 . OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST New Staff The CROW was pleased to welcome Dan Nadeau to our staff in Dan started with the CROW in April as the CROW s Watershed Technician and is responsible for water quality monitoring and data management. Dan received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from St. Cloud State University. While there, Dan received the Denise M. McGuire Student Research Award for his work on the Sauk River. PARTNERS The CROW works in cooperation with local, state and federal partners from across the watershed and around the state. We are also fortunate to have participation from citizens and volunteers from around the watershed. Some of our partners include: Soil & Water Conservation Districts and NRCS offices from all 10 Joint Powers Counties Environmental Services/Planning and Zoning Departments from all 10 Joint Powers Counties, Area NRCS offices Prairie Country RC&D Council North Fork Crow River Watershed District Buffalo Creek Watershed District Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District Upper Mississippi River Source Water Protection Project Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Board of Water and Soil Resources Department of Natural Resources Metropolitan Council Cities South Fork Crow River Association Area Lake Associations Citizens Contact Information Diane Sander-Coordinator Jenny Gieseke-Watershed Specialist Dan Nadeau-Watershed Technician CROW CROW CROW 311 Brighton Ave, Suite C st Ave 311 Brighton Ave, Suite C Buffalo, MN New Ulm, MN Buffalo, MN Ext Ext.122 diane.sander@mn.nacdnet.net crowriverorg@yahoo.com daniel.nadeau@mn.nacdnet.net 10