The South Washington Watershed District (SWWD) works with its partner cities to identify and develop plans, connect partners, and help secure funding for the restoration and enhancement of natural areas within city open spaces. These activities help to support the SWWD mission of enhancing open spaces to provide habitat, build soil health, create resilient natural […]
Each year in Minnesota, we spread about 445,000 tons of de-icing salts on our roads, sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots. These road salts are made of chloride and are the number one cause of chloride pollution in Minnesota waterways and groundwater. But there are ways to prevent further chloride pollution. De-icing with chloride salts is […]
Could harvesting biomass of cattails reduce nutrients and improve water quality in Armstrong Lake? The South Washington Watershed District has launched a pilot program to find out. Cattails are a species staple of Minnesota lakes and ponds. The aquatic plant grows tall and dense, quickly dominating shoreline environments. While cattails may all look the same […]
The South Washington Watershed District is thrilled to formally announce the artistic partnership with Nipinet Landsem. A new mural will be installed at the Wilmes Lake Alum Treatment Facility in Woodbury, MN. Nipinet is a muralist, illustrator, and tattoo artist based in Minneapolis, MN. Much of their work involves water and our relationship to it […]
The South Washington Watershed District and the City of Newport will proceed with a restoration project at the Bailey School Forest, which will begin in fall 2025. Bailey School Forest Park is a significant area located along the Mississippi River bluffs. The grassland, woodlands, and forest have become largely dominated by invasive and non-native species. […]
What’s in your drinking water? Groundwater provides 100% of drinking water to those living in the South Washington Watershed District, whether it’s city pipe or a private well. While city piped water or tap water and well water in the area both come from the same source, how they are handled is different. Tap water […]
Have you ever been walking near a pond or lake and spotted what looked like a green, slimy substance on the water’s surface? You may have been seeing Blue-green algae, a harmful bacteria bloom that can occur when the temperature goes up, and nutrients are high. While Blue-green algae is often referred to as algae, […]
The South Washington Watershed District is excited to announce the selection of Taylor Mills as its Artist in Residence 2025. SWWD is honored to host another artist through its Artist in Residence program. Mills was selected from a robust applicant pool of area artists due to her unique ability to tell a story and create […]
The SWWD has been awarded $250,000 from the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources’ (BWSR) Clean Water Legacy Partners Grant Program. With the funds, the South Washington Watershed District (SWWD) will continue a coordinated effort with the cities of Newport and St. Paul Park to reduce sediment and nutrient loading to the Mississippi River. […]
In 2022, the City of Woodbury, in partnership with SWWD, launched the Enhanced Street Sweeping pilot program and saw immediate success. Two years and three street sweepers later, SWWD takes a look at just how effective this BMP has been for stormwater management. Managing stormwater runoff is important to maintain water quality and reduce environmental […]