New tool provides water health information for thousands of Minnesota lakes

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources last week unveiled a new online tool — the Watershed Health Assessment Framework — that provides easy access to water quality and health information for thousands of Minnesota lakes.

The tool allows users to compare a lake’s health measures to nearby lakes, as well as view a lake’s relative water quality, biology, and hydrology. It also lists features such as the area of ​​the lake, miles of shoreline, and the name of the basin.

The tool “will benefit anyone who wants to know more about the water quality of a particular lake and the health of the aquatic habitat and community in that lake. It will also help inform lake protection and restoration decisions,” said Katie Smith, DNR Ecology and Water Director of Resources.

The information should also help residents, local government leaders and water resource authorities work together on comprehensive watershed management efforts.

“A healthy lake is one that comes closest to its natural state — free of pollution and with a natural shoreline that protects the shore and filters runoff — allowing it to withstand changing conditions and seasonal variations,” Smith said in a press release. “Healthy lakes depend on people valuing these resources and investing in protecting and restoring the water, the watershed, and the biology.”

The tool can be accessed at arcgis.dnr.state.mn.us/ewr/whaflakes.

Jenny Berg

ST. LOUIS COUNTY

The sheriff’s office launches a crime mapping site

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office has launched an interactive dashboard showing crime incidents and locations – statistics updated daily at stlouiscountymn.gov/crimemap.

The map shows crimes against people and property, and other offenses that are reportable under the National Incident Based Reporting System, the database the Sheriff’s Office uses to gather details and analyze statistics.

Data is as of January 1, 2021 and can be sorted by location, date range, responding agencies, and more.

The crime map shows incidents that occur within the MEPs’ area of ​​responsibility. Duluth, Hermantown, and Virginia use a separate system of record, according to the county, so the crimes don’t appear on the map unless a St. Louis County assemblyman was involved.

Christa Lawler

MINNESOTA

USDA is pursuing rural transportation improvement requests

The federal government accepts applications for grants to improve rural transportation systems in the hope that investments can improve the economic prospects of rural communities.

The US Department of Agriculture is accepting applications under its Rural Business Development Grants program. Applications must be submitted by April 19 to the USDA office closest to the applicant.

Priority is given to projects that help communities create more and better market opportunities, promote equity and combat climate change. For more information, see rd.usda.gov/priority-points.

REID FORGIVEN