The Conservation District regularly works with both public and private landowners to build conservation projects that protect and restore our natural resources.

Mapping Soils in Cook County

The Lake and Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District in cooperation with your local county government and the Natural Resources Conservation Service are conducting a soil survey on all lands within Lake and Cook Counties.

This survey is part of a national soil resource inventory. Observations are made by soil scientists as they traverse selected areas to determine the physical nature and extent of the different soil types within Lake and Cook Counties.

The primary uses for this inventory are conservation and forestry planning, gravel source extent and location, soil percolation rates, and comparisons made by private individuals for buying and selling land.

Surveyors depend on the cooperation of local landowners to gather important data necessary for mapping the soil. Thank You in advance for your cooperation in this endeavor. The Arrowhead Soil Survey project is scheduled to complete mapping of soils in Cook County by late 2014. For more information, visit http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/.

Poplar River Sediment Reduction Projects

Cook SWCD utilized Minnesota Clean Water Legacy funding to construct four sediment reduction projects in the Lower Poplar River Watershed including this natural-looking streambank stabilization project at a site known as the Megaslump. The four projects resulted in an estimated sediment reduction of 370 tons/year.

Poplar River Sediment Source Assessment Final Report Superior National Golf Course gully stabilization Moose/Mystery valley culvert replacement Megaslump streambank stabilization Ullr Mountain ditch armoring Project Location Map

Rain Gardens

With its steep slopes, shallow soils, and close proximity to Lake Superior, the City of Grand Marais has a need for proactive stormwater management. From 2008-2009 six stormwater Best Management Practices were designed and built in the city. A Lake Superior Coastal Program grant will provide funds to design additional rain gardens in the city in 2010.

Image: A Minnesota Conservation Corps crew constructs a rain garden in Grand Marais in 2008.

Rain Garden Quick Link