Each year, ACD staff provide technical assistance for projects focused on ecological resources, surface water, groundwater, and soils throughout Anoka County. This work includes ecological projects such as habitat enhancement and critical-area plantings; surface-water projects such as lakeshore improvements, rain gardens, and swales; groundwater protection through well sealing and septic-system upgrades; and soil-related practices such as cover cropping. These projects help enhance habitat, protect water quality, and support healthy natural systems.

Assistance typically begins with a site consultation. This includes a conversation with the landowner, a review of maps and available information about the property, and a site visit to walk the property and discuss options. If a project moves forward, ACD can assist with planning and design, provide installation oversight, and offer guidance on long-term maintenance. These efforts are made possible through collaboration with landowners and partner organizations. The table below summarizes the technical assistance provided by ACD staff in 2025. 

If you have a conservation question or are interested in exploring options for your property, ACD staff are available to help! We look forward to continuing this work in 2026 and supporting positive environmental outcomes throughout Anoka County. For more information, contact Mitch Haustein, Stormwater & Shoreland Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Rain gardens capture and clean stormwater runoff before it reaches local waterbodies. Finding the right place to put one, especially a curb-cut rain garden that collects water from the street, takes more than just finding an open spot in the yard.

Several factors influence whether a rain garden will work effectively: the size of the area draining to it, the property's use, available space, landscaping features, and yard slope. While these things are easy to see, some of the most important considerations are hidden underground. Utilities such as water, sewer, gas, and electric lines must have adequate soil cover, and rain gardens can't interfere with these requirements. Soil is another key factor. Sandy soil allows water to soak in easily, while silt and clay soils may require special construction or make a site unsuitable for infiltration. 

To explore where rain gardens can be most effective, the City of Fridley is partnering with ACD as part of a 2026 street reconstruction project. Properties in the project area with ideal conditions were identified, and those with interested landowners are now being evaluated for feasibility. Pairing rain garden installation with street reconstruction is a cost-effective way to manage stormwater in neighborhoods that currently lack treatment. With thoughtful planning above and below ground, curb-cut rain gardens can provide long-lasting benefits for both water quality and neighborhood beautification.

Spring is the perfect time to upgrade your lawn irrigation system. Smart irrigation tools—such as Wi-Fi-enabled controllers, soil moisture sensors, and rain sensors—help your system adjust automatically based on weather and soil conditions. These upgrades take the guesswork out of watering and prevent overwatering. 

Thanks to the Metropolitan Council's Water Efficiency Grant Program, funded by the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment, several Anoka County cities are offering rebates for smart irrigation controllers that reduce water waste and lower your water bill. Click the links below or check with your city to learn more about eligibility and how to apply.

- Smart irrigation controller rebates: Centerville, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Lino Lakes, Ramsey
- Irrigation audits to assess water efficiency: Fridley

Smart irrigation is a simple, effective step toward more resilient water resources—right here in Anoka County. Visit the University of Minnesota Extension's Lawn Care website for additional lawn management resources. For more information contact Mitch Haustein, Stormwater and Shoreland Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Apex Pond in the City of Fridley was enhanced in 2023 to improve water quality in both Springbrook Creek (County Ditch #17) and the Mississippi River. Originally constructed in 1999 with a ponding depth of 1-foot to slow the rate of runoff entering Springbrook Creek, the enhanced pond is ~6-feet deep and provides water quality treatment for nearly 90 acres of residential neighborhoods. The increased ponding depth enables sediment and nutrients to settle and accumulate in the pond. Runoff enters the pond via three inlets and a single outlet serves as the connection to Springbrook Creek. 

Total annual reductions to Springbrook and the Mississippi River include 16.80 lbs-TP/yr and 6,617 lbs-TSS/yr. The City of Fridley funded pond maintenance, and a combination of Watershed Based Implementation Funds from the Board of Water and Soil Resources, a Coon Creek Watershed District Water Quality Cost-Share Program grant, and the City of Fridley funded the pond enhancement. For more information contact Mitch Haustein, Stormwater & Shoreland Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Approximately 1,500 feet of severely eroding riverbank in the City of Anoka's Mississippi River Community Park was stabilized in late 2021. The project included tree clearing, bank reshaping, riprap, erosion control blanket, seeding, and planting a variety of native plant species. Since installation, the site has been subjected to multiple years of high water levels. Both the riprap on the lower elevations of the bank and the vegetation on the upper elevations have successfully stabilized the site.