April 8th is Brian Johnson Day

In recognition of SWWD Board Manager Brian Johnson, the City of Woodbury recognizes April 8th as Brian Johnson Day. Brian Johnson has served on the SWWD Board of Managers as a representative for Woodbury for 21 years, and the last 4 years as Board President. After over two decades, Mr. Johnson will retire from his […]

Spring Cleaning “To Do’s” Should Include Picking Up Dog Poo

This year’s spring cleaning list should include picking up pet waste to prevent water quality contamination in the South Washington Watershed District. Pet waste is considered pollution, and when not picked up, it can negatively impact water quality. Waste from pets contains nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as pathogens and disease-causing bacteria. But what does […]

Call for Artists: Public Art at Wilmes Lake Alum Treatment Facility

The South Washington Watershed District (SWWD) seeks proposals to commission a professional artist or team of artists to design, fabricate and install a work of public art at the newly completed Wilmes Lake Alum Treatment Facility in Kargel Park, Woodbury, Minnesota. The selected artwork will be installed in a visible location on an exterior screen […]

Call for Artists: Artist in Residence 2025

The South Washington Watershed District (SWWD) seeks a creative fine art aerial photographer and/or aerial videographer to celebrate and document the landscapes, ecosystems, natural resources, and diverse inhabitants that call southern Washington County home. The lengthened term of the artist’s residency is designed to allow exploration throughout the seasons and remove arbitrary timeline limitations from […]

Grit! The Chloride Free Alternative to Road Salts

To combat chloride pollution in the watershed, South Washington Watershed District will provide free grit this winter. Chicken grit or grit, is a chloride free, non-chemical alternative to salt for deicing roads, sidewalks, and driveways during the winter. How does grit work? Grit works physically to provide traction on top of ice, unlike deicers which […]

SWWD Celebrates the Confluence of Art and Water Resources

The South Washington Watershed District celebrated the conclusion of the 2024 SWWD Artist in Residence program with an artist exhibition, Connecting at the Confluence. A first time program for the District, hosting a resident artist to capture the natural resources of South Washington. Beginning in 2023, SWWD sought to incorporate something unique into its programming […]

SWWD Continues In-Lake Management of Aquatic Invasive Species

SWWD is continuing AIS management in fall 2024 and will be treating several bodies throughout the district for aquatic invasive species (AIS), including: Colby Lake, La Lake, Ravine Lake, and Wilmes Lake (south basin). Serval lakes have extensive infestations of Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) and curlyleaf pondweed (CLP). Treatments will be conducted using herbicides to address […]

Announcing John Loomis as District Administrator

The South Washington Watershed District (SWWD) is excited to announce John Loomis as District Administrator, following the retirement of Administrator Matt Moore. John has dedicated 15 years to ensuring water quality in the South Washington Watershed District and is an esteemed member of the SWWD team. Have a question for the Administrator? Contact John by […]

Introducing Abby Tekiela as Water Resources Program Coordinator

The South Washington Watershed District (SWWD) is excited to introduce Abby Tekiela as the Water Resources Program Coordinator. In this new program for the District, Abby will coordinate with partners on all things outreach and education, work to grow our Campus Greening and Experiential Education programs, and support the District to engage with all who […]

SWWD Continues In-Lake Management of Aquatic Invasive Species

SWWD is continuing efforts started in 2022, and will be treating Colby Lake, Markgrafs Lake, Ravine Lake, and La Lake for aquatic invasive species (AIS). All lakes have extensive AIS infestations of curly-leaf pondweed (CLP). Colby Lake also is extensively infested with Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM). Colby, Ravine and La lakes are infested lake wide and […]