Each year the Department of Natural Resources Division of Ecological and Water Resources honors one of the watershed districts in the state for their accomplishments toward water quality improvement. Watershed districts are nominated for the award by area and regional DNR hydrologists.
Jason Moeckel, DNR Inventory, Monitoring and Analysis Section Manager, presented this year’s award to the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) at the Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts Annual Meeting in Alexandria, Minnesota on Friday, December 6, 2013. The MCWD was nominated for this award for its long-standing and robust partnership with the DNR and its timely and effective programs.
“MCWD actively solicits input and feedback from their many and varied stakeholders and regularly consult with the DNR Area Hydrologist on their projects and programs,” Moeckel said. “The District successfully coordinates and integrates its various programs to systematically improve the watershed and its water resources.”
Among examples cited for 2013:
- Restored a 3,000 ft ditched section of Minnehaha Creek to its original meander along Reach 20 in St. Louis Park;
- Worked with 16 homeowners who volunteered to let the District remove invasive plants from 2,000 ft of their creek banks and replant with native species;
- Purchased and began restoration on two farm properties totaling over 200 acres of rolling topography with steep slopes draining into Six Mile Marsh to help improve the water quality of Halsted’s Bay;
- Developed a comprehensive, long-term AIS Management Plan;
- Conducted its third year of a Zebra mussel monitoring program;
- Held the 7th annual Minnehaha Creek cleanup which drew 1200 citizens who collected over two tons of trash.
Congratulations and Thank You to the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District!
