Shoreland, watersheds and wetlands

Building

• Tips for purchasing and building on shoreland property
• How to develop a plan for your shoreland property
• Stabilizing shoreland property to prevent erosion

Landscapes

• Caring for shoreland lawns and gardens
• Minimizing runoff from shoreland property
• Rain gardens to capture stormwater runoff

If you live on a shoreland property exposed to wave and ice action or with a steep slope, you need to take extra steps to protect your property from erosion and keep soil from washing into the lake or river you enjoy.

Erosion

• Stabilizing shoreland property to prevent erosion

Runoff

• Minimizing runoff from shoreland property
• Managing your shoreland woodlot to prevent erosion
• The importance of your shoreland trees
• Rain gardens to capture stormwater runoff

Regulations

Projects that alter a lakebed or riverbed or involve removing or installing aquatic plants may require a permit from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Visit their website or contact your local DNR office to obtain permit guidelines and applications.

Projects that alter the shoreline above the ordinary water level may require additional permits from the county, township, watershed district, or city. Contact your County Planning and Zoning office to learn about additional permit requirements and get help planning your shoreline project.

• The importance of your shoreland trees
• Preventing the introduction of invasive species
• Aquatic invasive species detector program

Hazardous products

Learn how to reduce the use of hazardous household products in order to keep ground water and soil clean.

Drinking water

Drinking water information can be found at Minnesota Department of Health's drinking water protection website.

Septic systems

Septic system information can be found at the U of M Onsite Sewage Treatment Program website.

Recreation

• Limiting impact of recreation on water quality
• Preventing the introduction of invasive species
• Aquatic invasive species detector program
• Blue-green algae in Minnesota lakes

Managing land use

• Managing crops and animals near shorelands
• Managing your shoreland woodlot to prevent erosion

• Beach sand blanket
  Sand that is added to form a beach. It shouldn't be added where it would destroy fish or wildlife habitat, wild rice or other protected vegetation. Size restrictions apply; contact the DNR Area Hydrologist for specifics.
• Erosion
  The process by which soil or rock material is worn down and carried away by wind or water. Erosion is increased when vegetation is removed and soil is left exposed.
• Eutrophic
  Water very high in nutrients, generally referring to lakes; lakes commonly experience algal blooms and excessive weed growth.
• Filter strip
  Vegetated area adjacent to shoreline that helps prevent contaminants from reaching the water; preferably native vegetation
• Infiltration
  Water seeping into the ground through pores in soil, sand or gravel or through cracks in bedrock; infiltration can help minimize erosion.
• Ordinary high water level (OHWL)
  Highest water level that a lake has maintained for enough time to leave evidence on the landscape. This is commonly where natural vegetation changes from aquatic to upland species; for streams, the OHWL is generally the top of the bank of the channel.
• Riparian zone
  Land area adjacent to a stream or lakeshore that may experience periodic flooding.
• Runoff
  Water flowing over the surface of land or soil. Runoff can cause erosion and is increased when surfaces are paved or covered with roofs, patios or decks.
• Setback
  The required distance between the shoreline and property development. Different distances apply for dwellings, septic systems, outbuildings and wells. Required setbacks vary for different water bodies; county and municipal ordinances may vary.
• Shore impact zone
  Land area adjacent to a shoreline in which certain regulations apply and some activities are prohibited.
• Shoreland regulations
  DNR regulations determining the type and extent of development allowed near shorelines; counties or municipalities may adopt more restrictive ordinances.
• Topography
  Shape or contour of the land. Topography and slope influence how property should be developed. Construction or other activity on steep slopes increases runoff and erosion.
• Water bar
  A small, raised ridge on the road surface used to deflect water flow into a ditch; designed to reduce erosion by minimizing flow down the road.
• Watershed
  The drainage basin or area in which surface water drains toward a lake or stream. Groundwater flow may or may not be parallel to surface topography.

Learn how to care for your watershed so you can enjoy safe, clean water.

• Understanding watersheds
• Preserving wetlands
• Managing crops and animals near shoreland

The Watershed Game

The Watershed Game is an interactive, educational tool that helps individuals understand the connection between land use and water quality.

Players learn how different land uses impact water and natural resources, increase their knowledge of best management practices, and learn how their choices can prevent adverse impacts. Tools that include plans, practices and policies help players achieve clean water protection and restoration goals while providing for community growth.

There is a version for training local leaders and a classroom version for grades 6 to 8. See the Watershed Game site for more information.