Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Just five of the 32 testing sites showed no infestation.
A new survey shows a widespread zebra mussel presence in Lake Minnetonka. In just the first month of surveying, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District found the invasive species at 24 of 32 monitoring sites. Making matters worse, the shutdown of state government has temporarily halted all invasive species inspections at Lake Minnetonka’s boat accesses. That worries Kelly Dooley, a district water quality technician, who said Wednesday morning that critical education and data collection opportunities are missed each day the Department of Natural Resources isn’t in the field. Boaters on the lake now have to handle inspections themselves, Dooley said. "I think everyone, not just the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, wants to see the DNR back…
Nearly all MCWD Testing Sites Show Presence of Invasive Species.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
-
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Initial sampling by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) found that zebra mussels are rapidly spreading throughout Lake Minnetonka. The first of monthly surveys was completed recently and found zebra mussels present at most District testing sites across the lake. Zebra mussels were first detected in Wayzata Bay last summer and follow-up data collected last fall found zebra mussels across much of the eastern half of Lake Minnetonka. This spring, the MCWD launched a three-year study by placing two monitoring devices at each of 32 sites from Gray’s Bay to Halsted Bay. During its first monthly check of the devices in late June, the District found zebra mussels at 26 locations. There was no evidence of zebra mussels at five of the …
Thursday, June 23, 2011
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District should escape most effects of a shutdown.
A shutdown of state government would suspend virtually all services and divisions within Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources.
All 74 state parks, recreational areas and campgrounds, visited by millions of people every year, will close. Conservation and enforcement operations will also cease, and ecological monitoring will come to a halt—which could have a profound impact on Lake Minnetonka. Zebra mussels were discovered in Lake Minnetonka last summer, and the DNR has made quelling their spread a top priority. DNR officials had scheduled the most invasive species inspections in state history for this summer, as part of that effort. The State Legislature recently approved increasing the DNR’s inspections authority and added teeth …
Monday, June 20, 2011
The National Weather Service says Minnetonka could get up to four inches of rain through Thursday.
The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Minnetonka and a flood watch for much of the region, including the Twin Cities. The area is forecast to get 2-4 inches of rain by Thursday, with pockets of 5 inches or more expected in some spots. Overnight tonight, the area will likely see thunderstorms and heavy rain. According to the NWS, “These storms may become severe with large hail and damaging winds.” Thunderstorms are also expected Tuesday and Tuesday evening. Minnetonka falls within the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District—a geographic area encompassing 181 square miles, including Minnehaha Creek, Lake Minnetonka, the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes and Minnehaha Falls. The MCWD controls the headwaters structure at…
Sunday, April 10, 2011
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is launching a new grant program this spring for people who want to beautify their property and benefit the environment at the same time.
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District has kicked off a new program for Minnetonka residents that could cover—with cash—up to half of the cost of many home landscape projects. Polluted stormwater runoff is the biggest water quality problem in Minnetonka and in the state. The hope is that this program will encourage local homeowners to implement green initiatives in their homes’ landscapes, ultimately protecting local water resources like Lake Minnetonka and Minnehaha Creek. “There is a real need to capture this runoff before it pollutes our valuable natural resources,” said Aldis Kurmis, the district's cost share specialist. “We’re hoping these new grants will be an incentive for people to take action right in their own backyard.” In a …
