River through farmland

Land Management Practices for Improving Groundwater Quality

Groundwater contamination can come from many sources. The 2020–2030 Dakota County Groundwater Plan identified groundwater quality issues in both rural and urban areas from industries, households, farms and more.

The most common human-caused contaminants in the county are:

  1. Nitrate from agriculture and septic systems
  2. Lawn fertilizers from residential areas
  3. Chloride from de-icing salts and water softeners

Photo #1: Rural fertilizer application; Photos #2: Urban fertilizer application; Photos #3: Septic system; Photo #4: Road salt application.

The county’s sandy, gravelly soils make it a challenge for landowners and land managers to lessen the effects of these chemicals. These soils drain quickly and are more prone to nitrogen losses. Water conservation projects in well drained soils are important for protecting water quality.

Use the map below to explore soil drainage classifications around Dakota County, or search for your address to see how well soil drains on your property.

Soil drainage in Dakota County

Cover crops

Cereal rye growing in a field
Cereal rye growing in a field

Common cover crops in Dakota County include tillage radish, cereal rye, clover, oats, and winter wheat. Each provides a different set of benefits that can help growers meet specific water quality and soil health goals. Click the right arrow below to see images of common cover crops in Dakota County.

Tillage radish
Cereal rye
Clover
Clsoe up of cover crops growing between other crops
Information about SWCD cover crop programs

Integrating perennial crops

Perennial root systems

The types of perennial crops are incredibly diverse. Switchgrass, hay, alfalfa and intermediate wheatgrass (commonly known as Kernza) can all be combined with or fully converted from an annual cropping system. Click the right arrow below to see images of common perennial crops in Dakota County.

Switchgrass
Hay
Alfalfa
Kernza products
Kurt Kimber in a field
Perennial crop and UMN - Forever Green logo

Land restoration or conversion to prairie or other perennial vegetation

Prairie of wildflowers
Jerry Wicklund on his farm
Perennial prairie planted in cornfield

Irrigation water management

Variable rate irrigation at work in field
Chuck Louis with moisture probe on his property
Aerial view of variable rate irrigation

Nutrient management

Information on the 4R's of nutrient management
Christy Schmidt observing a corn cob
Aerial view of field mapping data on cropland

Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP)

Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program logo
Magazine cover of Dave Legvold on his farm
Dave Legvold receiving MAWQCP certification sign

Want to learn more?

Dakota County SWCD Conservation Projects map screenshot
River running through croplands
Clean water land and legacy amendment logo