Water Education Photo Credit: Nate Meyer

Nate Meyer, Regional Extension Educator, Cloquet, 218-726-6473

Minnesotans have a strong tradition of celebrating their lakes and streams–ice-fishing and skiing in the winter, swimming, boating, fishing, and visiting the family cabin in the summer. So, it is not surprising that 1,000 residents, who responded to the statewide 2nd Minnesota Report Card on Environmental Literacy survey, considered “water pollution to be extremely important and an area not safeguarded enough.”

However, raising Minnesotan’s knowledge of water issues is still a concern. About half (45 percent) of respondents to the 2nd Minnesota Report Card on Environmental Literacy correctly answered three to five of five questions about water quality issues-receiving a passing grade. These results equate well nationally, but they leave plenty of room for increased success. Nearly a quarter (23 percent) of those surveyed answered zero to one correct–receiving a failing grade.

To increase the effectiveness of water quality education, staff from the University of Minnesota Extension Service, Minnesota Sea Grant, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, and the Great Lakes Aquarium collaborated on a July workshop for educators. Called Backyards to the Big Lake, this Duluthbased workshop engaged educators in three days of exploring streams, storm drains, lakes, resources, and methods to teach about water issues. Through funding from Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program and Minnesota Sea Grant’s successful View From the Lake program, the workshop culminated in a lake-tour aboard the L.L. Smith Jr., a Great Lakes research vessel, where educators investigated how changing land use impacts Lake Superior’s water quality.

Water Education Photo Credit: Nate Meyer

A specific goal of Backyards to the Big Lake was to form partnerships between classroom and non-classroom educators, interested citizens, state and regional professionals to strengthen water quality education. Using research, educational standards and personal experience, participants explored the questions: “What is important to know about water quality?” and “How and where can people learn about water quality?” They met with regional water quality professionals and identified ways to cooperate inside and outside of the classroom to increase Minnesotan’s access to education and understanding of water quality issues.

The Backyards to the Big Lake workshop served K-8 classroom teachers, non-classroom teachers, citizens and professionals interested in water quality education. It was held July 11–July 13 at the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth, MN. Contact Nate Meyer at 1-888-241-0724 for more details.

The Second Minnesota Report Card on Environmental Literacy: A Survey of Adult Environmental Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior by Dr. Tony P. Murphy and others is available from the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance or online here.

Algae

Julie Klocker, Sauk River Watershed District, 320-352-2231

In late summer, people can become disenchanted with lake living when they see smelly green scum, called “blue-green algae,” taking over their lake. There are many types of blue-green algae. Some are a food staple in parts of the world while others are poisonous to livestock, pets, and humans. They have adapted to live in nearly any type of environment from the hot sulfur springs in Yellowstone to the glaciers in Alaska. They can occur as free-floating individuals or attach to rocks and docks in long strings or thick mats. The free-floating algae commonly produce the green scum we see on lakes, but a similar scum can result from large colonies of mat- or string-forming blue-green algae becoming dislodged and floating to the water’s surface.

What’s blooming?

If these blue-green algae occur in all our lakes, why do they become a problem in only some lakes? And why during the warmest part of the summer? To answer the first question, you need to know that phosphorus and water temperature are usually the main factors influencing algae growth in Minnesota’s lakes. Water bodies having the greatest blue-green algae growth include lakes that contain high amounts of phosphorus (1 pound of phosphorus can produce up to 500 pounds of algae) and/or shallow lakes and bays in which water warms earlier and reaches greater temperatures than in deeper lakes and open water.

To answer the second question, note that algae blooms occur on calm days during the heat of the summer when algae numbers are greatest. In the absence of turbulence that normally keeps free-floating algae at depth, large numbers of algae float to the water surface and create a green scum. Once at the water’s surface the intense solar radiation kills the algae. This die-off is followed by a rapid increase in bacteria that consume dead algae - a process that depletes oxygen in the water and results in a nasty, rotten-egg smell. In addition, low-oxygen water makes it difficult for fish to “breathe.”

What can we do?

We can’t control the water temperature or the wind, but everyone has a part to play in reducing phosphorus entering the lakes. You can help by eliminating phosphorus fertilizer use (it’s now Minnesota law), preventing soil erosion, and keeping leaves, grass clippings, and pet wastes from washing into lakes. These are small steps that can help control the smelly, green scum that we see so often on lakes in late summer.

This portable, boxed kit of quick, easy answers to common lake home and cabin questions contains 50 cards of information on home and septic systems; trees and woodlands; waterways and shorelands; and wildlife and insects. To order, go to Extension Services on the web or call 800-876-8636.

Rain Garden.

Eleanor Burkett, REE University of Minnesota Extension Service, (888) 241-0720

Even if you don’t live in suburbia, managing storm water runoff is something to consider in your landscape. Preventing erosion and keeping nutrients out of lakes or rivers doesn’t start at the shoreline. Roof tops, roads, driveways and sidewalks are impervious surfaces* (surfaces that do not absorb water). When water is not absorbed, it tends to run off the land in greater volumes and with greater force after a storm, causing erosion and allowing nutrients and sediments to drain into lakes and rivers. While it is a good idea to include a vegetative buffer strip in your shoreland landscape, adding a rain garden and/or capturing rooftop runoff using a rain barrel are two practices that can help to slow the pace at which storm water enters our natural waterways.

Rain Gardens

Rain Garden.

Simply put, rain gardens are shallow depressions filled with plants designed to allow rain to infiltrate the soil, filtering out pollutants as the water seeps into the water table. Rain gardens allow plants to absorb nutrients and sediments to settle. Rain may be channeled away from structures into a rain garden preventing seepage.

Rain gardens filled with small shrubs, flowering plants and ornamental grasses add beauty to the landscape and may attract butterflies and birds. Well-placed rain gardens can be interesting and enjoyable to see from indoors and out. Like any garden design, rain gardens can be simple or elaborate. To insure satisfaction, sketch out the desired design before you start.

When designing a rain garden, consider desired size, soil type and plant species. Rain gardens can be designed in any shape. Crescent or kidney shapes are attractive, but a long and narrow rain garden may be better suited to fitting between structures or between house and sidewalk.

Often several rain gardens are designed into the home landscape. For rooftop runoff, generally one rain garden is placed at each down spout at low points in the lawn. Each rain garden should be about one-third the size of the area that is being drained. For example, at a 3000 square foot home with four down spouts, each rain garden would be approximately 250 square feet. In sandy soil the size can be smaller, but for heavy clay a larger area may be required. Rain gardens may be built applying these same concepts to control runoff from other impervious surfaces, such as driveways and sidewalks.

The rain garden depression should be placed 10 feet or more away from foundations, so seepage doesn’t occur. Remember to always call the Digger’s Hotline (800-242- 8511) before digging to prevent cutting into an electrical line or cable.

Once the size, shape and location of the rain garden have been decided, construction can begin. Lay out a rope or garden hose in the shape desired as a guide for digging. The depth of the depression may vary from 4 to 8”, in most cases. For best infiltration, the bottom of the rain garden should be level. On a slope, the soil from digging may be used to create a berm on the downhill side of the rain garden. For clay soils add organic matter before planting.

Many native plant species are well suited for rain gardens. Plants must be chosen to accommodate the soil type and tolerate standing water for 12 to 48 hours. For recommendations on plant species and more information on rain gardens visit clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/raingarden/rgmanual.pdf.

Rain Barrels

Rain Barrel.

Rain barrels are ideal for collecting rain as it runs off roofs. They can supply ample water for gardens and houseplants that is free from chlorine, calcium and lime. Rainwater can also be used for automobile and window washing. They can save money, conserve water and prevent runoff into storm water systems, lakes and rivers. Rain barrels also help to reduce moisture levels around the foundations of homes and other structures.

One inch of rain that falls in a 1000 ft2 catchment can generate 623 gallons of water; that’s over half a gallon per square foot. Consider a 3000 ft2 rooftop with four downspouts. To calculate how many gallons of water would flow through each downspout in a one-inch rainfall, divide 3000 by 4; each downspout serves 750 ft2. If a square foot of rooftop repels 0.632 gallons in this rain, over 467 gallons of water will flow through one spout!

Ideally one 40 - 60 gallon rain barrel should be placed at each downspout of a home; more elaborate systems can be built utilizing multiple rain barrels at each downspout. Correctly constructed rain barrels include overflow spouts so water can be directed away from the structure with a hose.

Rain Barrel.

Keep in mind that disease carrying mosquitoes can be found throughout the state. Precautions should be undertaken to minimize infestation. Mesh screens over the top opening will act as a barrier to insects. Non-toxic water treatment containing the bacterium, Bacillus thuringienisis, or “Bt”, can be found at garden centers and hardware stores. It prevents mosquito larvae from hatching and will not harm plants.

It is important to keep the mesh screen free from leaf debris. Installing leaf guards on gutters will help. While the water from your rooftop is relatively clean, it is not recommended for human consumption.

Check out this link for instructions on rain barrel construction

*For more information on impervious surfaces see From Shore to Shore, October 2004.

County Island before erosion control.

Eleanor Burkett, University of Minnesota Extension Service, Brainerd Regional Center, (218) 828-2326

Rush Lake, located in Crow Wing County, had a problem. Rush Lake Association member Gerry Leinfelder recalls that it was six or seven years ago when Rod Nelson, then president of the Rush Lake Association, first considered the need to do something about serious erosion occurring on two of Rush Lake’s islands: County Island and the DNR Island. The islands were both losing considerable shoreline because their steep banks were slumping into Rush Lake. Not only was the effect unsightly, but the sedimentation from the erosion was creating a potential impact on fish spawning areas.

Several different methods of bank stabilization were attempted, such as anchoring logs to protect the “toe” of the bank at the water line from wave action and installing erosion control blankets. Tree seedlings and bare root stock were planted and the bank was seeded in the more upland areas. Some of the logs worked well and have continued to do their job, but the seeding and plant materials had varying success. Also, there was a lot more undercutting that needed to be addressed on both of the islands.

Erosion control in place.

In 2002, Gerry Leinfelder, a Whitefish Area Property Owners Association (WAPOA) member, took the initiative to write a Shoreland Habitat Grant through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The proposal was accepted and the project was awarded $45,840 plus a required match of $24,000. In an effort to make the best use of the grant funds, the Crow Wing County Soil and Water Conservation District, Crow Wing County Parks, Department of Natural Resources, University of Minnesota Extension Service, and the Minnesota Joint Powers Board assisted in creating a site plan. The techniques included in the plan attempt to resolve each islands’ problems and demonstrate several methods and techniques used to control erosion and restore shoreland.

In fall of 2004, a pilot site was implemented to test initial methods and techniques and determine how long it will take to restore a larger site and how many people will be needed. WAPOA is calling for additional volunteer assistance on this interesting and ambitious project. If you want to learn more, contact project team members, Gerry Leinfelder, WAPOA; Scott Lucas, SWCD; or Eleanor Burkett, UM Extension Service. Updates will be posted periodically to this and other newsletters to keep our readers informed of progress.

Filtration pond after first rain event (just after planting!).

Submitted by: Mary Blickenderfer, University of Minnesota Extension Educator, Grand Rapids, (218) 327-4616

The city park along Spirit Lake in Menahga is the site of a shoreland revegetation project that started in 2001. During the first two years, berms were installed at the top of the steep lakeshore bluff to keep run-off from the adjacent road from further eroding the bank, and the existing gullies were filled. These areas were seeded with native plant species, covered with erosion blanket, and planted with additional native plants. Mowing of the hillside had ceased a few years prior to the project and native grasses and flowers typically found in oak savannas were already covering much of the bank. The stair/ramp access to the fishing pier was planted with a showy mix of natives. The once-vegetated wet transition area near the shore was also planted and remains a challenge due to low water.

However, for the Spirit Lake Association this was not enough. They had their attention focused on the two storm water pipes draining into their small lake – obvious sources of sediment, unknown pollutants, and trash that affect water quality. The solution: create a stormwater filtration area that is appropriate for a city park. With the leadership of Kari Tomperi (Wadena Soil and Water Conservation District); technical design provided by the Joint Powers Board and University of Minnesota Extension; financial support from the Department of Natural Resources and Spirit Lake Association; plants grown by Sunshine Gardens and Ramsey County Correctional Facility; and the assistance of the City of Menahga, lake association members, other community citizens, students from two local high schools, the DNR, Wadena SWCD, and University of Minnesota Extension, a stormwater filtration area was created. The filtration system involved major reconstruction of the shore area and was designed to allow sediment to settle into a deep pool near the drain outlet and to allow stormwater to flow through and/or soak into the soil along a narrow 200-foot long shallow channel planted with native wetland species. The native plants slow the water flow, promote water infiltration, absorb nutrients, trap solid material, and provide color and wildlife habitat. After the project was completed, the filtration area, full after a storm event, drained completely within a few hours. Success!

…and became an award winner!

Filtration pond installation.

For its support of and participation in this project, the Spirit Lake Association won the Area 2 Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts “Outstanding Conservationists Award.” Congratulations to the Lake Association and all those who made this project a success!

Eleanor Burkett, University of Minnesota Extension Service, Brainerd Regional Center, (888) 241-0720

Fall leaves are valuable to gardeners. Composted leaves keep soil in prime condition for most gardening projects. Follow these tips to optimize leaf composting:

• Use large compost bins, 5 to 6 feet across. This size allows for rapid internal heating of the compost pile, which drives the decomposing process. Smaller bins will be slow to heat and will not be able to maintain processing temperatures through the cold Minnesota winter. Bins larger than 6 feet across may restrict oxygen flow into the leaf pile, slowing decomposition.
• Mix some nitrogen into the leaves as you pile them. Leaves are rich in carbon (which makes for great compost) but are comparatively low in nitrogen (needed to feed decomposing bacteria). Nitrogen could be added as a nitrogen fertilizer or fresh green organic matter. For example, for every four bushels of leaves, add 1-2 cups of lawn fertilizer without any weed killers (such as 34-0-0 or 21-0-0). Or add 1 part leaves with 2 parts fresh grass clippings or similar green garden debris.
• Moisten the leaves as they are piled. Rains will be slow to wet through a leaf pile, and moisture is essential for decomposition.
• Do not turn compost piles in the fall. This allows heat to escape and heat drives decomposition through the winter. Turn compost piles in the spring.
• Leaves can be easily picked up with lawn mowers. However, shredded leaves may over-pack in the compost bin, restricting the oxygen flow needed for decomposition.

With attention to these guidelines, a gardener can produce fall leaf compost ready to use by the following late spring. On its own, a pile of leaves may take 2 to 3 years to decompose. For more information, contact your local Extension office and request the publication, Options for Disposing of Leaves.

For information on making a composting bin, call Info U at (800) 525-8636 and enter code #277, or visit the University of Minnesota Extension Service Web site and type “compost bin” into the search box.

Philip Hunsicker, (218) 824-5095

Lakescaping Award- Roosevelt Lake Project

Three lakeshore development projects accomplished what all lakeshore development projects should: they respected the intent of shoreland regulations and their design fit with the natural environment. These projects were honored with Brainerd Lakes Area Lake-Friendly Development Awards on August 16. The 68 people that packed the Breezy Point City Hall to recognize the winners were also entertained and educated by Doug Sandstrom, a long-time Conservation Officer with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) of Longville, Cass County.

The 2004 award for Lakescaping went to the Roosevelt and Lawrence Area Lake Association (RALALA) of Outing in Cass County.With the support of MNDOT and the DNR, over 50 lake association volunteers removed grass from a highway right-of-way along State Highway 6 and planted native vegetation in its place. The 40-plus native species do not require mowing, like the grass did, and they are better filters for highway runoff that flows into Roosevelt Lake. The project was completed in just two days.

Joyce and Kevin Brick, winners of the Lake Friendly Home Construction Award.

The 2004 award for Lake-Friendly Home Construction went to Kevin and Joyce Brick of Sorenson Lake in Merrifield. Their log home and the grounds surrounding it were designed to preserve the environment. For example, the gable roof of the home drains stormwater away from the lake, their driveway is pervious sand and soil instead of impervious asphalt, and a buffer zone of natural vegetation was left along the lakeshore to provide screening, reduce erosion, and provide shelter for wildlife.

The Brick Home- winner of the Lake Friendly Home Construction Award (white part of house will be covered with native fieldstone creating more natural look).

A runner-up award for Lakescaping was presented to the Portage-Crooked Lake Improvement Association in Crow Wing County. Under the guidance of Master Gardener Rose Puckett, three lakescaping demonstration sites were established along the lake. Low-maintenance buffer zones of native vegetation have eliminated erosion problems (something rip-rap can’t do) and butterfly and bird habitats were created (again, something rip-rap can’t do). Education efforts include a yearly pontoon tour of the sites.

The Brainerd Lakes Area Lake-Friendly Development Awards began in 2003 to highlight responsible shoreland behavior in an area that is developing rapidly. The trend to build large, suburban-style “starter castles” on postage stamp-sized lakeshore lots worried the award sponsors which include: 1000 Friends of Education efforts include a yearly pontoon tour of the sites.

Lakescaping Award winners: Roosevelt and Lawrence Area Lake Association.

Minnesota, the Crow Wing County Lakes and Rivers Alliance (LARA), the Brainerd Lakes Area Audubon Society, the Minnesota Lakes Association, the DNR Nongame Wildlife Program, the DNR Section of Fisheries, and the DNR Division of Waters.

Lakescaping Award runners up: The Portage-Crooked Lake Association.

By publicly recognizing individuals who have chosen to develop or redevelop their lakeshore properties using ecologically sustainable and sensitive principles, the sponsors hope that environmentally friendly development along lakeshores will become the newest and most lasting trend. They encourage people to think about how a “little piece of Heaven” fits into the natural environment and with the regional ambiance. Bigger isn’t better; better is better: better planning, better designs, better ideas, and a better way of accommodating a growing population. In the Brainerd area, the Lake-Friendly Development Awards push for this betterment.

Eleanor Burkett, University of Minnesota Extension Service, Brainerd Regional Center, (888) 241- 0720

Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, wetlands and other natural areas are hot real estate these days. Development along these waters is reducing clarity, vegetation, and fish and wildlife habitat at an astounding rate. What was once an occasional small cabin along a wild shore has become a ribbon of structures and paved areas circling a lake.

All this construction has added rooftops, roads, walkways, decks, parking areas and driveways, increasing the amount of impervious surfaces. Rainwater and snowmelt normally infiltrate (are absorbed) into the soil; impervious surfaces reduce the amount of water that can seep into the soil and often funnel runoff carrying roof and road containments, soil particles, and nutrients into lakes, rivers, or wetlands. Impervious surfaces can contribute to increased erosion and sedimentation. They can also increase water temperatures by adding warmed water from roads and parking lots, affecting aquatic plants and animals.

Property owners can take steps to reduce runoff flowing directly into lakes, rivers and wetlands through planning and landscaping. Here are some suggestions:

Reduce the amount of impervious surfaces

choose gravel or pervious materials for driveways, parking areas and walkways

use stepping stones or mulch for walkways instead of concrete, and use a “S” shaped walkway rather than a straight (funneling) pattern when creating a path to the water

Divert rain and snowmelt and encourage infiltration

slope paved surfaces so water flows into vegetated ditches

direct rain from gutters and down spouts to rain gardens

Make use of vegetation

minimize lawns - stop mowing a strip of land near the shoreline

plant a vegetative buffer strip using native plants such as grasses, forbs, trees and shrubs (extremely effective in slowing runoff, absorbing nutrients and breaking down pollutants)

preserve trees and natural vegetation – native vegetation is cheap and easy, the less disturbance near a shoreline the better

minimize land disturbances – and use precautions such as silt fences if a land disturbance is necessary

If you have questions about impervious surfaces, check with your local Soil and Water Conservation District, county planning and zoning department, or environmental services department. Other resources include:

• Shoreland Management Resource Guide
• Board of Water and Soil Resources
• Minnesota Polution Control Agency
• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
• Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Minnesota Erosion Control Agency
• Protecting Our Waters, Shoreland Best Management Practices Fact Sheet #8: Minimizing Runoff from Shoreland Property. 1998. University of Minnesota Extension Service, St. Paul
• Rain Gardens: A How-to Manual for Homeowners. University of Wisconsin Extension, Madision
• Frequently asked questions about pervious surfaces. Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials
• Sustainable Drainage Systems

Mary Blickenderfer, University of Minnesota Extension Service and Water Resources Center, (218) 327-4616

Nearly 30 shoreland property owners on Crooked and Portage Lakes (Crow Wing County) turned out for a pontoon tour of three shoreland projects installed last year. The Crooked-Portage Lake Association sponsored the tour – including on-board refreshments and free plants – to highlight the restoration projects and to inspire other shoreland owners to do the same. It worked! After property owners at two of the three sites discussed why they decided to restore their shoreline, the steps involved in installation, and maintenance needs, several on the tour expressed interest in restoring their shorelines next year.

Rose Puckett, a property owner and graduate of Extension’s shoreland revegetation program, designed and selected native plants for the three projects. When nearly 2,000 plants arrived on an owner’s doorstep last summer, 15 lake association volunteers assisted in getting the plants in the ground. The shoreland owners were responsible for watering and weeding their sites until the plants became established.

“We really love it!” said one property owner one year later. “The flowers are beautiful, and we learned a lot in the process.”

Assistance and funding for the three projects were provided by the Crow Wing County Water Plan, Mississippi Headwaters Board, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and University of Minnesota Extension. The Crooked-Portage Lake Association plans to apply for grants to help fund additional shoreland restoration projects in 2005.