Soil & Water Conservation District Guidebook 2008 - Minnesota ...

Pictured: This diverse mix of native grasses along the
Kanaranzi Creek was restored to protect Topeka Shiner
habitat and for other environmental and educational
benefi ts.
A segment of the highly erodible and
fl ood-prone Kanaranzi Creek was restored to native
grasses for educational purposes and to protect Topeka
Shiner habitat. Over the last three years the Nobles
SWCD, Kanaranzi Little Rock Watershed District, City
of Adrian, Nobles NRCS, and Adrian High School’s
advanced biology class worked cooperatively on the
project. The seven-acre site had been seeded to native
prairie. A small manmade wetland was created on the
site along with walking paths, a creek crossing, and
several hundred native shrubs and oaks planted along
the streambank for additional stabilization. The Nobles
NRCS and SWCD has organized an educational session
utilizing the Adrian High School’s advanced biology
class to provide a learning opportunity for several 5th
grade classes in the area.
As part of the Wellhead Protection Plan
for the city of Adrian, the Nobles SWCD sought out
landowners to follow best management practices to
protect the vulnerable Adrian Wellhead Area. The
Nobles SWCD worked with a single landowner to
protect the wellhead area. With the cooperation of the
city of Adrian and Nobles NRCS and Farm Service
Agency, a 2,500-foot waterway was constructed to
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Nobles Soil & Water Conservation District
control and prevent surface runoff of chemicals,
fertilizers and soil into the areas adjacent to the city’s
wells. The landowner worked with SWCD personnel
to enrolled 30 additional acres of land that is highly
vulnerable to nutrient leaching, into land that is
enrolled in CRP.
Top 5 Natural Resource Concerns
Water Quality Protection
Water Erosion Control
Wind Erosion Control
Flood Control
Resource Management Education
Future Projects
Feedlot Improvement Project -- The Nobles
SWCD working with NRCS will be assisting
a Feedlot owner/operator to control runoff and
construct a manure storage area. Using State
cost-share funds paired with EQIP dollars corrective
measures will be taken on the site to
protect a DNR Protected Stream course.
Raingardens -- The Nobles SWCD and cities
within Nobles County are working together
on an RC&D project proposal to install 10
raingardens in urban areas of the county, as an
educational tool. Projects are presently being
planned with the Worthington Lakes Association
for public lands draining into Lake Okabena.
Minnesota West and Technical colleges
are also planning to install raingardens on each
of their fi ve campuses.
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