Recent News
We will regularly post summaries of water resource news of interest to a variety of audiences. Skim the current posts to find items relevant to you. We’ll provide links leading to more in-depth information.
Responsible Sidewalk Salt Use
Winter is here! Read these tips to make your sidewalk and driveway safer, while remembering that too much salt can hurt pets, wildlife, and pollute our surface water and drinking water. [...]
Public Notice: Proposed Amendment to VRWJPO Watershed Management Plan
Proposed Amendment to the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization Watershed Management Plan Notice is hereby given that a public comment period is now open for the proposed amendment to the Vermillion River Watershed [...]
Watershed Management Plan Proposed Amendment
The Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization Watershed Management Plan Proposed Amendment - Bemis Wetland Restoration Project. Read the proposed amendment. See the Bemis project location on a map.
Johnny Cake Ridge Road gets a Water Quality Makeover
In 2019, the City of Apple Valley reconstructed a portion of Johnny Cake Ridge Road. The VRWJPO partnered with the City to install several stormwater best management practices (BMPs) in the road right-of-way and [...]
Explore your Vermillion River Watershed
Either from the comfort of home or by getting outdoors, you can explore the Vermillion River Watershed your own way! Visit project sites around the Watershed and learn how our water resources are being [...]
Stream Bank Restoration in Empire
Dakota County completed a stream bank restoration project on the Vermillion Park Conservation Area (PCA) in Empire Township this summer. The VRWJPO provided funding for the project design and construction oversight as well as staff [...]
Making Use of the Rain
When Dakota County and the City of Lakeville began planning for the reconstruction of the 202nd Street portion of County Road 50, it became immediately clear that this was more than a simple road project. [...]
Checking Septic Systems helps Protect against Bacteria Pollution
Bacteria lives in our water in many forms, the same way it lives in our bodies. Most species of bacteria are useful. However, harmful bacteria—known as pathogens—can find their way into our waterbodies. Just [...]
Make a splash – as a WPC Commissioner
The Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board (VRWJPB) seeks applicants from Dakota County for one vacant seat on the Vermillion River Watershed Planning Commission (WPC). The WPC advises the VRWJPB about water quality and [...]
Rake up to protect lakes and rivers from leaf litter
There is still time to get out and rake those fallen leaves. Learn why it's important to clean natural debris out of our local streets!
Erosion is Nothing New Around Etter
An area of southeast Ravenna Township located between Hastings, Miesville, and Red Wing, is locally known as Etter. Etter Creek has long been known as a place with significant flooding and erosion. The erodible [...]
Fall Nitrogen Fertilizer Application on Sandy Soils
A reminder that starting September 1, 2020, the application of nitrogen fertilizer in the fall and on frozen soil will be restricted in areas vulnerable to groundwater contamination. A new nitrogen rule is now in place. Nitrate contamination [...]
Join neighbors to protect water quality!
The Minnesota Water Stewards (formerly Master Water Stewards) certification program offers a great opportunity for you to join a local network of energized leaders and tackle environmental problems in your community. The Vermillion River Watershed has been [...]
VRWJPO Public Hearing on the Draft VRWJPO 2021 Budget
Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization Public Hearing on the Draft VRWJPO 2021 Budget Notice is hereby given that the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) will hold a public hearing at 1:00 p.m. [...]
May 28, 2020 JPB meeting is canceled
The May 28, 2020, meeting of the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board (JPB) is canceled. The next scheduled meeting is Thursday, June 25.
May 13, 2020 WPC meeting is canceled
The May 13, 2020 meeting of the Vermillion River Watershed Planning Commission (WPC) is canceled due to the continuation of the closure of Dakota County facilities due to COVID-19. The next meeting is scheduled for [...]
VRWJPO update on COVID-19
VRWJPO is following the guidance of the Center for Disease Control and Minnesota Department of Health to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of our customers and staff. As of [...]
Make a splash – as a WPC Commissioner
The Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board (VRWJPB) seeks applicants from Dakota County for one vacant seat on the Vermillion River Watershed Planning Commission (WPC). The WPC advises the VRWJPB about water quality and quantity [...]
Public Comment Period Now Open on the Proposed Amendments to the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization Rules
Notice is hereby given that a public comment period is now open for the proposed amended Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) Rules. The VRWJPO will hold a public hearing at 1:00 p.m. on [...]
Public Comment Period Now Open on the Proposed Amendments to the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) Standards
Notice is hereby given that a public comment period is now open for the proposed amended VRWJPO Standards. The VRWJPO will hold a public hearing at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 22, 2019, at [...]
We are moving – effective May 17, 2019
The Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization is moving to Farmington, effective May 17, 2019. Our new address is Dakota County Extension & Conservation Center, 4100 220th St W, #103, Farmington, MN 55024. All Watershed [...]
Turfgrass class
Property and facility managers, anyone who maintains park, cemetery or school grounds, and other turfgrass contractors can learn sensible ways to maintain turfgrass at a workshop Thursday, April 18 from 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. at the [...]
Irrigation Audit Program for homeowner associations
“Water, water everywhere.” In Minnesota, we enjoy beautiful lakes, streams, and rivers. A resource that is perhaps more important, but less visible, is groundwater. Groundwater is stored in rocks and soils; it provides the [...]
Practices aim to protect high-quality water in Lake Marion
Lake Marion in Lakeville is a very popular summer destination. Visitors come from all over Dakota County and beyond to fish, boat, and swim during the summer months. While Lake Marion is not currently [...]
Tracking carp movement in and out of East Lake
Fish surveys of East Lake show a significant common carp population. Carp are bottom feeders. When they feed on the bottom of the lake, carp can stir up the bottom sediments, releasing phosphorus into [...]
Iron-enhanced sand filter improves Alimagnet Lake water quality
Alimagnet Lake in Burnsville is a great place to float a canoe on a calm summer day, but not so fun when the lake is full of stinky green algae. Nutrients in stormwater runoff [...]
Turfgrass Maintenance Workshop
Dakota County and the Vermillion River Watershed JPO are hosting a free workshop to teach property managers, groundskeepers, and other commercial and public turf managers sensible, cost-saving ways to maintain turfgrass. The workshop will [...]
GreenCorps Fight to Keep Salt Out of Minnesota Lakes
Salty water is a growing problem in Minnesota that affects aquatic life and our drinking water. You might not realize that your use of a water softener or sidewalk salt contributes to a build-up of [...]
MetCouncil advances proposed wastewater reuse facility for southeast metro
The Metropolitan Council took steps on Dec. 12 to advance a proposed wastewater reuse project in the southeast metro. The Council approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and a design deposit agreement with Enerkem, Inc., [...]
Iron Enhanced Sand Filter in Long Lake Park
An innovative method of removing phosphorus has been put to the test in Long Lake Park in the City of Apple Valley. Past land uses, combined with the watershed area draining to Long and Farquar [...]