Pictured: A snow-covered bridge over the Vermillion River Mainstem at Rambling River Park, Farmington. Happy holidays from all of us at VRWJPO! | |
- Stay safe and protect freshwater with low-salt tips
- 2026-35 Watershed Plan nearly at the finish line, public hearing Jan. 22
- Project updates: South Creek wetland restoration, maintenance at Lake Marion stormwater pond
- Landscaping for Clean Water class registration opens Dec. 15
- Safe Drinking Water Grant for private well owners
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Did you know...
... that one teaspoon of salt can permanently pollute five gallons of freshwater?
Freshwater resources around Minnesota are increasingly becoming impaired for chloride, largely caused by the overuse of deicing salt. The Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) does not have any chloride-impaired waters. However, it does have some streams and lakes that are considered "high-risk" by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. You can view chloride monitoring results over time on our monitoring web page.
We encourage you to follow these tips here for a safe, freshwater-friendly, and cost-effective winter season. The Dakota County Low Salt No Salt program helps properties such as townhome associations or schools reduce salt use from a safety-first angle.
And join us in observing Winter Salt Week once again, January 26-30, 2026!
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Public hearing on draft Watershed Management Plan
After more than two years of public engagement, strategic discussions, and drafting, the 2026-2035 Vermillion River Watershed Management Plan is nearly at the finish line. As shared in our fall newsletter, we submitted a draft Plan to state review agencies and local government partners for a legally-required 60-day comment period from August through October. We then responded to each comment and sent those responses to the organizations that commented. You can read the comments and responses on our website.
The final step before submitting the Plan to the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources is a public hearing, which will be held as part of the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board meeting on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center, with virtual access on Microsoft Teams. A revised draft Plan will be posted here on our website no later than January 12, 2026.
Please reach out to Senior Watershed Specialist Kelly Perrine at kelly.perrine@co.dakota.mn.us with any questions about the planning process.
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The VRWJPO Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is a great way for people in Dakota and Scott counties interested in outdoor recreation, habitat, native plants, and more to get involved. The committee meets quarterly, and virtual attendance is supported in accordance with Minnesota Open Meeting Law.
The nine-member CAC has two openings. Applicants must be residents of either Dakota or Scott counties to be considered, with preference given to applicants who live within the VRWJPO.
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Lake Marion stormwater project gets a facelift
Nature can be unpredictable, sometimes in ways that affect our projects. That's why maintenance is a major part of what we do.
Within the past two years, staff noticed signs of muskrat burrowing and drain tile damage at a stormwater pond and iron-enhanced sand filtration basin project at Dakota County Road 50 and Jaguar Avenue in the City of Lakeville, just east of Lake Marion, that hindered the project's effectiveness. The City and VRWJPO hired a consultant in fall 2025 to fix the damage, including cleaning out and repairing broken drain tile and installing a berm to protect the area from muskrat activity.
The pond and basin were installed in 2020 with the goal of reducing phosphorus runoff into Lake Marion, the largest lake in the Vermillion River Watershed. A grant from the Minnesota Clean Water Fund helped make the project possible, as with many projects we put in the ground. Take a look next time you're in the area - an interpretive sign explains how this treatment train works.
Below: Part of the reconstructed sand filter area at CR50 and Jaguar Ave.
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South Creek wetland restoration nearly complete | This fall, VRWJPO, the City of Lakeville, and Dakota County began a wetland restoration alongside a tributary to South Creek, which is a major tributary to the Vermillion River. As described in our fall newsletter, the restoration is taking place on land (Launch Park) that was formerly in agricultural production. The goal is to reduce total suspended solids and improve aquatic life in South Creek, which contains several miles of designated trout streams. Final completion is estimated for spring 2026. | Landscaping for Clean Water registration opens on Dec. 15 | |
New Year's resolution idea: Make your home landscape not only more attractive, but also beneficial to our lakes, streams, and wetlands! (Greg, Lindsey, and Rosie agree.)
The Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will host nine Landscaping for Clean Water introduction classes in 2026, in partnership with the watersheds and cities in Dakota County. The class provides an overview of local water quality challenges and beautiful and practical ways of reducing pollutant runoff. After the intro class, sign up for a $25 design course where you can receive assistance to create a garden specific to your yard.
Registration opens December 15 for the 2026 classes! Participation in the introductory classes is free, but registration is required. Visit www.dakotaswcd.org for the class schedule and registration instructions.
If you can't make any of the dates, the introduction class will also be offered as a pre-recorded option, so you won’t miss a beat in learning how you can plant for clean water this year.
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Grant can help private well owners address contaminants
Private well owners in Dakota County with elevated levels of contaminants in their drinking water are now eligible for financial assistance to address drinking water concerns.
The safe drinking water grant provides funding to well owners or renters to:
- Repair or replace a well contaminated with nitrate or bacteria
- Buy or install a water treatment system for wells contaminated with arsenic, manganese, nitrate, coliform bacteria, or lead
Not sure if you need a treatment system for your drinking water? Request a free private well test kit to learn about the quality of your drinking water. Test kits are available to all private well owners and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis while funding is available.
For more information, go to www.dakotacounty.us and search safe drinking water grant.
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Upcoming Events
January 5, 2026 - Dakota SWCD Tree Sale opens online
Thursday, January 22 - Public Hearing on draft 2026-2035 Vermillion River Watershed Management Plan, 1 p.m., Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center (in conjunction with Joint Powers Board regular meeting)
Thursday, January 22 - Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board Meeting, 1 p.m., Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center
Wednesday, February 11 - Vermillion River Watershed Community Advisory Committee Meeting, 4:30 p.m., Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center, with online participation allowed
Thursday, February 26 - Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board Meeting, 1 p.m., Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center
Thursday, February 26 - Landscaping for Clean Water Introductory Class, 6 p.m., Burnsville City Hall, Dakota Room B
Stay posted with our online calendar for more events!
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