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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:
- Nitrate from agriculture and septic systems
- Lawn fertilizers from residential areas
- 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
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.
Integrating perennial crops
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.