Water Planning Assistance

At the beginning of the Comprehensive Local Water Management Plan update process, State Agencies, including the MDA are invited to provide input in the form of Priority Concerns to the County. The MDA priority concerns are discussed within this website. The MDA may also comment during plan revisions, amendments, and rewrites.

The information outlined in this website is available for watershed districts to review when updating ten year comprehensive watershed management plans. The guidance that has been developed may be applicable when these plans are being reviewed, amended, updated or re-written. The MDA is typically involved in reviewing those plans in the Red River Basin and the twin cities metro area.

The information outlined in this website is available for watershed management organizations when updating comprehensive watershed management plans. The guidance that has been developed may be applicable when these plans are being reviewed, amended, updated or re-written.

Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Plan (NFMP)
The NFMP is the state's blueprint for preventing or minimizing the impacts of nitrogen fertilizer on groundwater. The original plan was developed in 1990 and recently updated in March 2015.  There are various MDA activities that have been identified in the NFMP.

• Township Testing Program 

The MDA has identified townships throughout the state that are vulnerable to groundwater contamination and have significant row crop production. 

• Groundwater Protection Rule

The Groundwater Protection Rule (GPR) was developed by the MDA with significant stakeholder engagement over the past several years. The GPR minimizes potential sources of nitrate pollution to the state’s groundwater and protects our drinking water. The rule restricts the application of nitrogen fertilizer in the fall and on frozen soils in areas vulnerable to contamination, and it outlines steps to reduce the severity of the problem in areas where nitrate in public water supply wells is already elevated.

• Vulnerable Area map

As a part of the GPR, the MDA has developed a vulnerable are map which illustrates the areas where the fall and frozen soils prohibition will apply. 

Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP)

The MAWQCP is a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners to take the lead in implementing conservation practices that protect our water. Those who implement and maintain approved farm management practices will be certified and in turn obtain regulatory certainty for a period of ten years. We encourage you to consider this program in the IWIP process because it is an opportunity for agricultural producers to evaluate nutrient and field management practices to help reduce losses.

The AgBMP Loan Program

The AgBMP Loan Program is a water quality program that provides low interest loans to farmers, rural landowners, and agriculture supply businesses. The purpose is to encourage agricultural best management practices that prevent or reduce runoff from feedlots, farm fields, and other pollution problems identified by the county in local water plans. Loans can be used as match for other federal or state dollars supporting implementation.

Nutrient Management Initiative (NMI)

The NMI assists farmers and crop advisers in evaluating nutrient management practices on their own field through the use of on-farm trials. This is a great opportunity to promote new strategies that are available that could improve fertilizer use efficiency, evaluate new ideas or changes to practices, and help open the door to work directly on the farm by including local cooperators in the water quality discussion.

Ag weather and irrigation management resources

The MDA partnered with the East Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Wadena SWCD, Pope County SWCD, Benton County SWCD, and Dakota County SWCD to install weather stations across central Minnesota. The MDA partnered with the East Otter Tail SWCD to carry out a series of irrigation workshops and programs to promote proper water and nitrogen fertilizer management.

Irrigation Specialist Position

The MDA provides Clean Water Funding to the University of Minnesota to hire an Extension Irrigation Specialist. This position is collaborating with public and private entities to develop and demonstrate tools and technology to protect and conserve groundwater resources.

Cropland Grazing Exchange (CGE)

The Cropland Grazing Exchange (CGE) matches livestock farmers with crop farmers who have forage (crop residues, cover crops, etc.) to harvest. The MDA partnered with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota to develop this tool. 

Pesticide Water Quality Monitoring

The MDA has been conducting pesticide monitoring in groundwater since 1985, and in surface waters since 1991. The purpose of the MDA’s pesticide monitoring program is to determine the presence and concentration of pesticides in Minnesota waters, and present long-term trend analysis.

Private Well Pesticide Sampling PWPS

The MDA is sampling and evaluating pesticide presence and magnitude in private residential drinking water wells as part of the PWPS. 

Nitrogen and Pesticide Use

The MDA surveys farmers’ pesticide and fertilizer use through the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Why is it important the plan focus on this concern?

Adequate drainage can be a critical component of a successful farm operation. When new drainage is installed, there is an opportunity to design and install the system to help reduce nutrient losses into surface water and slow runoff from fields. These efforts combined with, for example, wetland restoration and water storage can be a benefit for water quality in agricultural landscapes.

What actions are needed for Agricultural Drainage?

Generally, local plans should provide guidance, objectives, goals and action items for further coordination of agricultural water management issues and use of Conservation Drainage (CD) practices. Examples of CD Practices are described in the publication Ten Ways to Reduce Nitrogen Loads from Drained Croplands in the Midwest or the Conservation Drainage Network. There is no single CD practice that will address all agricultural drainage issues, but several of the practices can be combined to meet water quality goals. It is recommended that:

• Local plans discuss how CD practices can be utilized based on the drainage needs and water quality goals.
• Local drainage authorities are proactive in encouraging the use of CD practices during repairs and improvements of existing drainage systems.
• Redetermination of Benefits for ditch systems continue to be done in a proactive, consistent, and systematic manner.
• The local drainage authority continues to base drainage regulations on science and current best management practice knowledge.
• Information on the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program should be provided and participation encouraged to access technical and/or financial assistance to landowners and operators to implement CD practices.

What actions are needed for Wetlands and Water Retention?

Properly locating wetlands and water storage or retention projects can be a strategic component of overall efforts to manage nutrients, sediment, and water quantity issues. Counties should consider:

• Conducting/updating culvert inventories in conjunction with identifying where water retention projects can be constructed utilizing LIDAR and GIS technologies.
• Identifying projects where tile water from public drainage systems can be used to maintain long-term water levels in wetland restorations for water retention purposes.
• Working with local farmers on agricultural wetland mitigation banking initiatives and include agricultural organizations on overall wetland planning efforts.

What resources may be available to accomplish the actions for Agricultural Drainage, Wetlands and Water Retention?

• Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program 
• Board of Water and Soil Resources 
• University of Minnesota Extension 
• Red River Watershed Management Board

What area(s) of the county is high priority?

All agricultural lands of the county.

Why is it important the plan focus on this concern?

Agricultural chemicals may contribute to water pollution from runoff into surface waters or infiltration into groundwater. Contaminated groundwater and surface water can affect human health as well as ecosystem quality. The protection of drinking water is an important health issue as approximately 75 percent of Minnesotans obtain their drinking water from groundwater.

Groundwater contamination from nitrate presents a potential health risk to human populations that rely on it for drinking water. In areas with vulnerable groundwater, nitrate may exceed the drinking water standard. If elevated nitrate levels are detected in drinking water, there may be in an increased probability that other contaminants, such as bacteria or pesticides, may be present. Once the standard is exceeded, it may be difficult to reduce the levels of contaminants. Therefore, it is highly desirable to prevent contamination of groundwater from occurring through protective actions in areas with vulnerable aquifers.

Agricultural chemicals are also frequently a concern related to surface water impairments under the Clean Water Act. The most common agricultural sources of excess nutrients in surface water are chemical fertilizers and manure. Such nutrients contribute to eutrophication in surface water and have been identified as a source of hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico.

What actions are needed?

• Continue the sealing of abandoned wells in agricultural landscapes and prioritize efforts for subsurface sewage treatment system upgrades in sensitive areas. Utilize the MDA Ag BMP Loan Program and other cost-share programs to assist landowners in addressing these issues.
• Promote the appropriate Nitrogen Fertilizer BMPs for Agricultural Lands
• Promote crop irrigation water management (Ag Weather and Irrigation Management Resources)
• Encourage the conversion of older irrigation systems to low pressure.
• Develop and implement educational programs regarding water management in conjunction with nitrogen fertilizer management.
• Promote the establishment and data access of local climate stations to irrigators for ET (evapotranspiration) estimates.
• Promote the use and availability of irrigation scheduling software and record keeping.
• Promote the use of the county soil survey and other localized soils information in determining soil moisture holding capacity on a field-specific scale.
• Encourage the use of soil moisture sensors (moisture blocks, tensiometers, etc.) and other advanced tools for determining crop water stress.
• Chemigation (nitrogen applied through the irrigation water) is an excellent option for irrigators to distribute small amounts of nitrogen (20-30 lb/acre).  Note that the MDA requires a chemigation permit and the proper backflow equipment.
• Provide assistance in irrigation uniformity testing and nozzle calibrations.
• Provide nitrate testing services on irrigation water to help promote nitrogen crediting concepts and environmental protection. MDA staff can help provide equipment and technical assistance.
• Promote hybrid and crop selection that have lower water and/or nitrogen requirements.
• In highly sensitive groundwater areas or areas where high nitrate concentrations already exist, explore Alternative Management Tools, such as cover crops, diversifying the rotation, conversion to perennial crop or retiring the land.
• Conduct training sessions and workshops for farmers that have agricultural production activities within sensitive areas and drinking water supply management areas.
• Encourage the use of the Nutrient Management Initiative plots and similar tools within these areas.
• More resources regarding drinking water protection in agricultural settings.
• Provide Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program information and encourage participation to access technical and/or financial assistance to County landowners and operators to implement agricultural best management practices on working lands to reduce soil erosion, protect stream banks and improve water resources.

What area(s) of the county is high priority?

Sensitive areas where row crops and/or livestock are being produced, including Drinking Water Supply Management Areas.

What resources may be available to accomplish the actions?

The MDA prepares specific maps for counties to assist in local groundwater protection efforts. The maps should be used to prioritize groundwater BMP implementation, protection and restoration efforts. The Water Table Aquifer Sensitivity map classifies the county into three aquifer sensitivity ratings: low, medium and high. These reflect the likelihood that infiltrating precipitation or surface water would reach the water table possibly bringing surface contaminants with it. Priority should be given to the Drinking Water Supply Management Areas (DWSAs), Wellhead Protection Areas and to the areas given a high aquifer sensitivity rating.

Nitrate concentrations found in MDA monitoring wells and wells in the County Well Index (CWI) are also shown on the map. Concentrations greater than 3 mg/L indicate nitrate concentrations above background levels, while concentrations greater than 10 mg/L are above the nitrate drinking water standard. 

Programs to evaluate:

• Township Testing Program for Private Wells
• Agricultural Chemical Monitoring and Assessment Programs
• Source Water Protection Map Viewer (Minnesota Department of Health)
• County Geologic Map Program
• Farm Nutrient Management Assessment Program (FANMAP)
• Nutrient Management Initiative

Programs to prevent: 

• Agricultural Chemical Facilities and Applicators: Management Ideas for Wellhead Protection Programs (PDF)
• Agricultural Crops, Nutrients, and Pesticides: Management Ideas for Wellhead Protection Programs (PDF)
• Pesticide Best Management Practices
• Nitrogen Fertilizer BMPs
• Private Well Testing for Pesticide Contamination
• Precision Conservation
• Animal Mortality Composting
• Agricultural Irrigation (U of M Extension)
• Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program