Watershed Achievements Report

Watershed Minnesota River Achievements Basin Report 2008
Watershed Achievements Report Statewide 2015
Blue Earth River Watershed
A decision support tool to restore
impaired waters
Building on work in the Elm Creek watershed in Martin
County Minnesota since 2003, project partners came
together to develop decision support tools that allow
watershed managers (state agencies, SWCD’s, NRCS local
offices and others) to prioritize conservation practices to
address nitrogen, phosphorous, and sediment impairments
in the Minnesota River Basin. The approach taken was
to integrate electronic tools, on the ground tools, and
the expertise of local conservation agents to implement
conservation practices taking into account potential
impact on targeted impairments and cost effectiveness.
Initiated in 2009 the project carried out basic research
to analyze the impact of perennial cropping systems,
channel modifications and restored and constructed
wetlands on water quality and integrate those results
into the decision making process. In addition, agronomic
practices for producing perennial biomass for energy and
other uses were evaluated to develop BMP’s to maximize
useable biomass, minimize inputs and maximize water
quality benefits. In the final year of the project the partners
concentrated on preparing, testing and presenting the
decision support tools by working closely with watershed
managers in state and federal agencies, local SWCD
and NRCS offices as well as private sector companies.
By matching EPA funding with XCEL Energy Renewable
Development Fund resources, and leveraged funding from
other agencies, the project was able to extend and expand
its potential impact. Tools which will allow managers to
prioritize, channel reconstruction and bank stabilization
efforts, selection of areas for installing conservation
practices to cost effectively address nitrogen, phosphorous
and sediment issues, and better manage perennial crops for
production and conservation benefits have been developed
and tested for use by watershed managers. The partners,
who have worked together since 2003, will continue to
develop and support the tools beyond the end of the
current project through our research and outreach efforts.
Goals
• Develop a Decision Support Tool to assist watershed
managers in selecting BMP’s
• Evaluate the impact of riparian channel restoration, and
agroforestry /perennial vegetation and water quality
• Evaluate potential perennial biomass crop production
systems and their impact on water quality
Results that count
• Preparation of an integrated suite of tools to help
watershed managers address water quality issues using
cost effective measures
• Better understanding of the impact of channel
restoration, perennial vegetation and wetland
restoration on water quality including a demonstration
area with a variety of BMP’s implemented
• Improved understanding of the production of perennial
cropping systems that will enhance productivity and
profitability of potential systems that combine biomass
production with improved water quality
Agroforestry and perennial grass research site on Darwin
Robert’s property along Elm Creek in Martin County.
Financial information
Funding type: Section 319
Grant amount: $622,501
In-kind: $169,224
Matching funds: $450,000
Contact information
Dean Current, Research Associate
The Regents of the University of Minnesota
115 Green Hall, 1530 Cleveland Avenue North
St. Paul, MN 55108
612-624-4299, curre002@umn.edu
MPCA Project Manager: Wayne Anderson
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency www.pca.state.mn.us 63