Improving Minnesota Watershed through Stream Restoration
Minnesota DNR’s Jon Lore will highlight the application of the Instream Flow Council’s framework for stream restoration efforts
Registration
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
Shortly before noon CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xtAwWXycQZW8iwtNLz34GA#/registration
Or go to https://iastate.zoom.us/join and enter webinar ID: 999 3709 5398
Or join via phone: 646-876-9923 | Webinar ID: 999 3709 5398
The Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) conservation webinar taking place May 21, at noon CDT will feature Jon Lore, DNR Clean Water Legacy specialist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Lore’s responsibilities cover rivers and streams in 32 counties in southwestern and south-central Minnesota. Approximately half of his job is assessing channel stability throughout the region to focus on how river instability can contribute to water quality and biological impairments, while the other half relates to stream restorations, fish barrier removals, and using natural materials to protect eroding banks.
In the webinar, “Utilizing Stream Restorations to Improve the Physical, Chemical, and Biological Integrity of Minnesota’s Watersheds,” Lore will discuss Minnesota’s use of the Instream Flow Council’s five component framework: hydrology, connectivity, geomorphology, biology, and water quality to prioritize stream restorations. He will draw on examples of restoration projects to highlight the importance and application of the framework as well as how each project addressed the five components. Lore will also touch on how the framework can be used to determine project selections that balance the ability to address all five elements cost effectively and deliver the most benefit from sometimes scarce public funds.
“We have seen drastic increases in near-channel erosion nationwide over the past few decades, and stream restoration has become a primary tool that helps address water quality and biological impairment issues,” said Lore. “Restoration efforts working with the channel and floodplain can alleviate the erosion while naturally building habitat to improve water quality and biology.”
Lore encourages anyone interested in stream restorations to view an in-depth video about one project that will be highlighted in this webinar. Find the video here https://youtu.be/czcvjOpPEJg?si=is1vQjWmu1i2pbaY
Participants are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.