How can you improve local waters?

Upper Main Stem Subwatershed

S trategies for a healthy Upper Main Stem Subwatershed subwatershed

The land area around the upper Vermillion main stem (and smaller that run into it) make up the Upper Main Stem Subwatershed. The Upper Main Stem Subwatershed (shown in red on map, left) is part of the Vermillion River Watershed (shown in blue). Land and water in this area drain to the upper main stem of the Vermillion River.

The Upper Main Stem Subwatershed includes predominantly rural, large-lot residential, and commercial land use. Changes in land-use (from development, new infrastructure, or shifting Includes: farming practices) alter the natural flow of water. This allows  Elko New Market, rain water to move more quickly from where it falls. Increased  New Market Township, runoff carries pollutants (such as ) to lakes, and  Northern Eureka Township, streams.  Headwaters of the Vermillion River,  All watershed areas in Scott County, and For example, urban roads, parking lots, and pavement allow  Upper main stem of the Vermillion River and all (and pollutants) to quickly move to water resources. to it. Overland flow from agricultural land also drains stormwater from fields into rivers and streams. FACT Practices that slow stormwater and soak up the rain can SHEET improve water quality.

Healthy land and water resources depend on everyone. 1 Find out more about what you can do to improve the Upper DECEMBER Main Stem Subwatershed’s water resources. 2008

Project Can brown trout adapt to higher Highlight Best Management Practices (BMPs) for the temperatures? Maryland Study shows Vermillion decline in brook trout Headwaters Upper Main Stem Subwatershed Thermal tolerance among trout is a genetically determined trait, so trout due to temperature and Subwatershed populations can change over time to land cover changes Assessment What are the water-quality issues? adapt to higher temperatures. Most The best way to  E.coli bacteria in streams researchers think that wild fish A study by Maryland focus limited  Excess sediment in streams populations (with varying genetic Department of Natural resources on  Intermittent flow – low or no water during dry makeup) can better adapt over time Resources biologists water-quality VERMILLION RIVER WATERSHED seasons. than domestically raised fish (who may highlights the detrimental improvement is JOINT POWERS BOARD be genetically very similar to one impact of development, loss to run another). of forest, and temperature diagnostics. What are we (and partners) doing? Commissioner Mike Slavik, Chair changes on brook trout, Scott Soil and  Locating sources of high E. coli bacteria levels and (Dakota County) Maryland’s only native trout Water working with landowners to reduce runoff. Do trout move to avoid species. Conservation  Working with landowners on best management temperature increases? Commissioner Tom Wolf, District (SWCD) Investigators found that brown trout in Vice-Chair (Scott County) practices to control . “Over the last 30 years brook completed a the Vermillion River move when trout numbers have declined subwatershed temperatures exceed 20 degrees C. Commissioner Mary Liz Holberg, What can you do at home? drastically in many Maryland assessment for They move to areas where banks are Secretary/Treasurer streams and disappeared the VRWJPO.  Pick up and properly dispose of pet wastes in the undercut and vegetation overhangs the (Dakota County) completely from several The assessment trash. water, pools where cool groundwater streams in the rapidly identified areas  Install a raingarden to soak up the rain, filter seepage maintains the temperature, developing Baltimore in the Upper pollutants, and provide habitat. and deep pools that stay cool despite metropolitan area,” said lead Main Stem  Install a rain barrel to capture stormwater and use it surface temperature increases. author Scott Stranko, a Subwatershed to water your lawn and garden. biologist with Maryland DNR. where best  Disconnect your rooftop from sidewalks and There are several circumstances that management driveways by redirecting your downspout. can prevent brown trout from escaping high water temperatures, including: The study analyzed brook projects would do the most Vermillion River Watershed trout distribution and What can you do on the farm? good. Joint Powers Organization  Low water levels and restricted abundance data collect by  Keep livestock out of streams and properly manage 14955 Galaxie Avenue water flow. If the trout is isolated the DNR’s Fisheries Service manure to reduce bacteria loads. in a pond area within the stream Apple , MN 55124 over the last three decades  Install a grassed waterway, a vegetated because of dry conditions or www.dakotacounty.us against stream temperatures 952-891-7000 designed to move across farmland barriers that prevent movement, it and land cover. For every without causing soil erosion. can’t move to cooler water.  Install water and sediment control basins to collect  Surges of heated stormwater from one percent increase in The Vermillion River Watershed sediment and hold water until it seeps into the ground. large rainstorms falling on hot impervious land cover asphalt, concrete, or bare soil and encompasses an area of  Use cover crops on cropland when the soil would (parking lots, roadways, approximately 335 square miles, running into the stream. The heat otherwise be bare to reduce erosion and runoff rooftops, etc.) in a stream’s including portions of two counties pulse may also come from a large watershed, the odds of and all or portions of 20 cities, pollutants. Common cover crops in Minnesota include storm spilling heated water from a brook trout survival towns, and townships. The main rye and other small grains. rate control pond into the stream. stem of the river begins in  Follow University of Minnesota Extension’s best  Chronic temperature stress. If the decreased by nearly 60 southeastern Scott County in New management practices for nitrogen use. trout has encountered increased percent. Market Township flowing east temperatures over a period of through central Dakota County, Visit our website for more information: time, it may not have sufficient passing over a in the City energy to move to a cooler spot. of Hastings, and then discharging www.vermillionriverwatershed.org to the both through a northerly flowing outlet near the City of Hastings as well as through a southerly flowing outlet near the City of Red Wing, Minnesota. 8/2016