|
|
|
|
Water Resources Lake Water Quality Improving background information on targeted lakes within Itasca County is an important step in protecting the valuable water resources of our area. Technical assistance is provided to Lake Associations or concerned landowners in the following areas: 1) Lake sampling (collection of water samples for further analysis, temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH) 2) Watershed assessment (watershed delineation and land use inventory) and 3) Development of a lake assessment report (sampling procedures, results and data, and recommendations). Rain Gauge Monitoring The Itasca SWCD coordinates a network of rain gauges district-wide that are operated by volunteers. Each volunteer measures and records daily precipitation with a cylinder-style rain gauge and periodically sends the data to our office. The data is compiled by our office and forwarded to the Minnesota State Office of Climatology. If you are interested in becoming a rain gauge volunteer (gauges provided at no cost), please contact our office. Erosion Control Controlling soil erosion not only reduces transport of sediment, but it also reduces the movement of nutrients and additional chemicals, thereby protecting surface water quality. Technical assistance is available for: 1) Shoreline and streambank stabilization such as rock riprap and bioengineering 2) Lakeshore alterations including tree plantings, diversions, and filterstrip establishment 3) Urban construction projects encompassing sediment basins, diversions, and critical area seedings and 4) Borrow pit reclamation through planning bank stabilization, seeding and mulching, and diversions. Cost-share assistance may be available depending on the nature of the project. Septic System Upgrade Program The Itasca SWCD helps administer the Agricultural Best Management Practices (AgBMP) Loan Program for septic system upgrades. AgBMP loans provide low interest financing to landowners to implement practices that prevent or reduce nonpoint source pollution. These loans are meant to encourage water quality protection throughout the District. Please contact us for more information regarding the low interest septic loan program. |
|
© 2006 Itasca County SWCD. Information within this site is subject to change. 1889 East Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744 • Phone: 218.326.0017 • Fax: 218.326.8938 |
