Stormwater

Stormwater

Which Watershed Do you Live In?

Did you know each of us lives in a watershed? A watershed is the area of land where all of the water that drains off of it goes into the same place. This place could be the wetland, pond, lake or creek located outside your back door. Click here to find which watershed you live in within St. Louis Park.

Click here for Minnehaha Creek Watershed District map.

Click here for Bassett Creek Watershed map.

See more about: runoff  water  watershed  watershed  

Storm Water Resources

Do you know what storm water is in St. Louis Park? Do you know how it becomes polluted? Do you know how to help protect it? Click here for more information.

Additional Resources
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
Bassett Creek Water Management Org.
MN Dept. of Natural Resources - Waters

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Lawn Care: Fertilizing and Pesticide Use

Keep Fertilizer from Reaching Ponds and Lakes
If you're fertilizing your lawn, please make sure to keep fertilizer off sidewalks, driveways and all other hard surfaces. Minnesota law prohibits the release of fertilizer on impervious surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways or the street. To learn more about what you can do,click here.

Don't Fertilize Unnecessarily
Have your soil tested once every five years to determine whether you need to fertilize. The University of Minnesota sells soil sample test kits for $15.00. For more information, call (612) 374-8400. The Minnesota Extension Service recommends fertilizing lawns no more than three times a year: mid-May, early September and mid-October.

Use Weed Killers and Pesticides Sparingly
Apply them only to the trouble spot - not the entire lawn. Click here for more information on sustainable landscaping

Choose a Lawn Fertilizer without Phosphorous
To protect water quality, Minnesota State law prohibits the use of phosphorus fertilizers on lawns and turf in the seven county Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Most soil in St. Louis Park has ample amounts of phosphorus and does not need additional amounts. However, there are exceptions to the law. Phosphorus-containing fertilizer can be applied to residential lawns if

• A soil test indicates insufficient phosphorus or
• This is the first growing season for new seed or sod.

When phosphorous from fertilizers when it makes its way into ponds and lakes, it causes excessive algae growth and scum. Make sure the middle number on the fertilizer package (which indicates the amount of phosphorus) is zero. Commercial lawn care services will also provide fertilizers without phosphorus upon request.

Aerate your Lawn
Through aeration you reduce the amount of fertilizer and pesticide you need to use. Aeration removes plugs of grass, loosens the soil and promotes healthy root development. Aerated lawns absorb water more quickly and minimize run-off.

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Erosion Control Related Links

• Best Management Practices for Erosion Control, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
• Metropolitan Council Urban Small Sites Best Management Practices Manual
• Click here download City of St. Louis Park Erosion Control permit

See more about: erosion control  stormwater  watershed  

Storm Water Education

Do you know what storm water is in St. Louis Park? Do you know how it becomes polluted? Do you know how to help protect it? Click here for more information.

See more about: runoff  storm water  stormwater  water  

Storm Water

Storm Water
Storm water refers to runoff from land and impervious areas such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops during rainfall and snow events without the benefit of treatment. Storm water discharges are a concern because they sometimes contain pollutants in quantities that could adversely affect water quality.

The City's storm water collection system consists of 3,709 catch basins; 3,588 lateral pipes; 1,972 manholes; 90 miles of 12" to 102" pipe; 3 open ditches; 233 inlet-outlet structures; 49 ponds, lakes and dry basins; and 10 lift stations.

Additional Resources
Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
2009 SWPPP Activities
Erosion Control Permit

Contact
Scott E. Anderson | Utilities Superintendent
Municipal Service Center | 7305 Oxford Street | St. Louis Park, MN 55426
P: (952) 924-2557 | F: (952) 924-2560 | sanderson@stlouispark.org

See more about: public works  storm water  stormwater