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The following fact sheets, brochures, and short booklets provide short answers to many questions that property owners and local governments have about lakes and rivers. This section includes a mix of short fact sheets developed for this site (Quick and Easy Answers) and additional materials developed by other organizations, such as state agencies and the University of Minnesota Extension Service.

The publications may be downloaded to distribute at meetings or other events, or they may be used in newsletters or articles. For more extensive background, check out the In-depth Information section.

The Quick and Easy Answers Fact Sheets developed for this site are available in both a Web version (for easy on-screen viewing) and a PDF version (to download high quality copies). You will need Acrobat Reader installed to view these. Simply click on the version you want. Brochures, fact sheets, and short booklets produced by other organizations may be available as Web versions or PDF versions, but seldom both. When you view some materials, you will automatically be linked to another Web site; use the "Back" feature in your Web Browser to return to this site.

MANAGING LAKES AND RIVERS AS PART OF THE LANDSCAPE

Everybody lives in a watershed

Web

PDF

Ecoregion influences on lakes

Web

PDF

Classifying lakes for better management

Web

PDF

Classifying rivers for better management

Web

PDF

What is a watershed?

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PDF

Lake levels - the ups and downs of managing lakes

Web

PDF

 
MANAGING WATER QUALITY

What is nonpoint source pollution?

Web

PDF

Water quality and your lake

Web

PDF

How do nutrients affect water quality?

Web

PDF

Limnology - the science of lakes

Web

PDF

Effects of agriculture near water Web PDF

Constructing a rain barrel

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PDF

 
MANAGING SHORELAND PROPERTY

Cumulative effects - lake management decisions add up

Web

PDF

Managing shoreline development

Web

PDF

Shoreland management for local officials

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PDF

A guide for buying and managing shoreland

Web

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Developing your lot

Web

PDF

 
SHORELAND REGULATIONS

Shoreline projects - permits required

Web

PDF

Enforcing shoreland and water-related laws

Web

PDF

Wetland regulations in Minnesota

Web

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A shoreland owner’s guide to shoreland alterations

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PDF

 
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR LAKE OR RIVER

Preparing a management plan for your lake

Web

PDF

Planning a future for your shoreland

Web

PDF

How can I make a difference?

Web

PDF

Organizing a lake association

Web

PDF

Lake Monitoring - learning about your lake

Web

PDF

 
ALTERING OR RESTORING YOUR SHORELINE

Naturalizing your shoreline

Web

PDF

Shoreland landscaping series

Web

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Minimizing shoreland erosion

Web

PDF

Impervious surfaces and your lake - what can you do?

Web

PDF

Thinking of a sandy beach?

Web

PDF

 
MANAGING AQUATIC PLANTS AND ANIMALS

Managing fish in lakes

Web

PDF

Bird life along shorelines

Web

PDF

Managing aquatic plants in Minnesota lakes

Web

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Managing shoreland and aquatic vegetation

Web

PDF

Coping with nuisance geese

Web

PDF

Field guide to aquatic exotic plants and animals

Web

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WASTEWATER TREATMENT ON SHORELAND PROPERTY

Alternative wastewater treatment

Web

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Landscaping septic systems

Web

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Septic system owner’s guide

Web

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Taking care of your septic system

Web

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Understanding your septic system

Web

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MANAGING LAKE AND RIVER USE

Co-existing peacefully - multiple use issues

Web

PDF

Water surface use management

Web

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Limiting impact of recreation on water quality

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PDF