Lower Minnesota River West

08/31/2026

We'll see you tomorrow in Gibbon!

Check out this event we'll be at on September 1st! Pete is a Soil Health Mentor with our District and has lots of experience to share. Use code SWCD2026 for free registration. See you there!
https://www.mnsoilhealth.org/event/field-day-at-pete-kramers/

08/20/2026

See you today for well water testing and all weekend long at the McLeod County Fair!

SAVE THE DATE!!!

Free well water testing August 20 at County Fair Anyone who relies on well water as a source of drinking water may have it tested for nitrates at the McLeod County Fair this year.

Staff from the McLeod County Soil & Water Conservation District and McLeod County Health and Human Services will conduct the tests from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2026, in the Fairgrounds Commercial Building at the Lower MN River West Watershed booth.

Participants must bring a small container with about 8 ounces of their well water. Results are available after a few minutes.

08/12/2026

Happy Fair Week Nicollet County!!

We are celebrating fair week with a TREE GIVEAWAY!!

To enter: like this post, share this post, and follow our page!

Stop by our booth at the fair during fair week (today, August 12th through Sunday, August 16th) and get an additional entry into the drawing.

We will draw a winner after the fair, on Monday, August 17th.

There are 7 trees up for grabs—Good luck!

08/06/2026

We loved interacting with you at the Sibley County fair last weekend! Our next stop is the Nicollet County fair - beginning August 12. See you there!

07/27/2026

07/09/2026

We are here until 5 pm—Come get your water tested!

Arlington Event Center
204 Shamrock Dr, Arlington, MN

07/09/2026

🚜 🌱 Conservation Practice Spotlight: Buffer Strips
Healthy farms and clean water go hand in hand. Buffer strips are one of the most effective conservation practices for protecting Minnesota's lakes, rivers, streams, and drainage systems while keeping valuable soil and nutrients where they belong.

💧 What are Buffer Strips?
Buffer strips are areas of perennial vegetation, such as grasses or native plants, established along rivers, streams, ditches, and public waters. These vegetated areas act as natural filters by slowing runoff, trapping sediment, absorbing excess nutrients, and reducing erosion before water reaches nearby waterways.

Benefits of Buffer Strips:
✅ Reduces soil erosion and protects streambanks
✅ Filters sediment, phosphorus, and other pollutants from runoff
✅ Improves water quality in rivers, lakes, and streams
✅ Provides valuable habitat for pollinators and wildlife
✅ Helps stabilize shorelines and drainage systems
✅ Supports healthier soils and more resilient farmland

By slowing runoff and filtering pollutants, buffer strips help protect Minnesota's water resources while maintaining productive agricultural land.

📋 Minnesota Buffer Law
Minnesota's Buffer Law helps protect the state's water resources by requiring perennial vegetative buffers along public waters and public drainage systems.

The law generally requires:
🌾 A 50-foot average buffer (minimum 30 feet) along public waters.
🌾 A 16.5-foot buffer along public drainage ditches.

These buffers help reduce erosion, improve water quality, and support healthy aquatic ecosystems while allowing working lands to remain productive. Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts work with landowners to provide guidance on compliance and available conservation options.

💧 Why It Matters
Clean water begins on the land. Buffer strips help keep soil in the field, reduce nutrient runoff, protect fish and wildlife habitat, and improve water quality for everyone. They are a simple, effective conservation practice with lasting benefits for both agriculture and our natural resources.

💰 Funding Opportunity Available
The Lower Minnesota River West watershed has funding available to help producers implement conservation practices, including buffer strips.

📞 Interested landowners and producers are encouraged to contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District to learn more about available programs and determine if they qualify for financial assistance.

Healthy buffers today help protect Minnesota's water for generations to come. 🌱💧

07/06/2026

💧🦆 Conservation Practice Spotlight: Wetland Restoration & Protection

Wetlands are among nature's most valuable resources. They provide clean water, reduce flooding, improve wildlife habitat, and support healthy agricultural landscapes. Restoring and protecting wetlands helps ensure these benefits continue for future generations.

💧 What is Wetland Restoration & Protection?

Wetland restoration involves returning drained or altered wetlands back to their natural condition by restoring their ability to hold water and support native vegetation. Wetland protection focuses on preserving existing wetlands so they can continue providing important environmental benefits.

Benefits of Wetland Restoration & Protection:
✅ Reduces flooding by storing excess rainfall and snowmelt
✅ Filters sediment, nutrients, and pollutants before they reach lakes, rivers, and streams
✅ Improves water quality downstream
✅ Recharges groundwater supplies
✅ Provides essential habitat for waterfowl, pollinators, fish, amphibians, and other wildlife
✅ Helps reduce soil erosion by slowing runoff
✅ Supports biodiversity and healthy ecosystems

Wetlands act like nature's sponge—absorbing, storing, and slowly releasing water. They also serve as natural filters, removing excess nutrients and sediment that can negatively impact water quality.

🌾 Why It Matters

Healthy wetlands benefit both agriculture and the environment. By reducing runoff and improving water quality, wetlands help protect downstream communities while creating valuable habitat for wildlife. Conserving wetlands is an investment in cleaner water, healthier ecosystems, and more resilient landscapes.

💰 Funding Opportunity Available

The Lower Minnesota River West watershed has funding available to help landowners implement conservation practices, including eligible wetland restoration projects.

📞 Interested landowners are encouraged to contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District to learn more about available conservation programs and determine if they qualify for financial assistance.

Protecting wetlands today helps safeguard clean water, healthy wildlife habitat, and resilient landscapes for generations to come.

07/02/2026

🚜 🌱 Conservation Practice Spotlight: Water & Sediment Control Basins (WASCOBs)

Healthy soils and clean water start with managing runoff. Water and Sediment Control Basins (WASCOBs) are a proven conservation practice that helps reduce soil erosion on sloping cropland while protecting downstream water quality.

💧 What is a Water & Sediment Control Basin (WASCOB)?

A Water and Sediment Control Basin is an earthen embankment built across a hillside to temporarily collect and slow runoff after heavy rains. As water is held back, soil and sediment settle out before the water is safely released through an underground outlet. This helps prevent gullies from forming and keeps valuable topsoil where it belongs—on the field.

Benefits of Water & Sediment Control Basins:
✅ Reduces soil erosion caused by rainfall and runoff
✅ Prevents gully formation in fields
✅ Keeps valuable topsoil and nutrients on the land
✅ Improves downstream water quality by reducing sediment loss
✅ Protects long-term productivity of farmland
✅ Helps manage excess runoff during heavy rain events

By slowing the movement of water across the landscape, WASCOBs help farmers protect their fields while reducing sediment and nutrient runoff into nearby streams, rivers, and lakes.

💧 Why It Matters

Every ton of soil that stays in the field helps preserve the productivity of our farmland while protecting local water resources. Conservation practices like Water and Sediment Control Basins are an investment in healthier soils, cleaner water, and more resilient farming operations.

💰 Funding Opportunity Available

The Lower Minnesota River West watershed has funding available to help producers implement conservation practices, including Water and Sediment Control Basins.

📞 Interested landowners and producers are encouraged to contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District to learn more about available programs and determine if they qualify for financial assistance.

Healthy soils today help protect our water resources for future generations. 🌱💧