Minnesota Watersheds Annual Conference and Tradeshow

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

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Industry trends

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Frequently asked

Glossary

1

Watershed

The land area where rain, snowmelt and groundwater drain to a common lake, river, stream or wetland. Minnesota watershed work is often organised around these drainage boundaries rather than city or county lines.

2

Watershed district

A special-purpose local government unit in Minnesota formed to manage water resources within a defined watershed. Districts plan and fund water management projects and are governed by a board of managers.

3

Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)

A local unit that delivers conservation technical assistance, cost-share programmes and landowner support for soil, water and habitat projects. SWCD staff are frequent partners on watershed projects.

4

TMDL

Total Maximum Daily Load, a Clean Water Act calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards. TMDLs often drive local restoration and implementation plans.

5

BMP

Best Management Practice, a structural or management action used to reduce pollution, erosion or runoff. Examples include rain gardens, buffer strips, detention basins and nutrient management plans.

6

Nonpoint source pollution

Pollution that reaches water from diffuse runoff across land rather than from a single pipe or outfall. It is a major focus for agricultural, urban and shoreline watershed work.

7

MS4 permit

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit under the NPDES programme. It applies to regulated cities, counties and public entities that own storm sewer systems and requires stormwater management and public education.

8

Riparian buffer

A vegetated strip along a stream, lake or wetland that filters runoff, stabilises banks and provides habitat. Buffer width and management are common local policy topics in Minnesota watersheds.

9

Stormwater

Rain and snowmelt that runs over impervious surfaces such as roads, roofs and parking lots. It can carry sediment, nutrients, salt and other pollutants into nearby waters.

10

Groundwater

Water stored in and moving through underground aquifers. It supplies drinking water, supports baseflow in streams and is connected to lake and wetland levels.

11

319 grant

Clean Water Act Section 319 nonpoint source grant funding, administered by states including Minnesota, for local projects that reduce nonpoint pollution and improve water quality.

12

Lake turnover

Seasonal mixing of a lake's water layers, typically in spring and fall, that can redistribute oxygen and nutrients through the water column and affect water quality.

13

BWSR

Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, the state agency that oversees soil and water conservation districts and administers many state conservation and water planning programmes.