What We Do

Capital Improvement Projects: grants may be available for large projects that improve water quality. Contact SWMO about partnering on large-scale projects.

Shoreline Stabilization Projects (Pictured: staff and volunteers plant native grasses, which have roots up to 15 feet deep!)

Shoreline Stabilization Projects: native plants lock in soil to stabilize the shores of Cedar Lake.

Shoreline Stabilization Projects (Pictured: Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park shoreline in 2015, 3 years after volunteers/staff planted it.)

Shoreline Stabilization Projects (Pictured: cedar trees are used to temporarily halt erosion which helps establish native plants.)

Native Plant Buffers: native plants buffer Lake O'Dowd from pollutants.

Native Plant Buffers: keep our waters clean and provide habitat for wildlife, plant native!

Stormwater Solutions: control stormwater run-off with rain gardens. (Pictured: raingardens installed in 2015 at Cleary Lake Regional Park.)

Nutrient Management: excess phosphorous causes algae blooms (like in this photo). Contact SWMO for treatment options.

Nutrient Management: bioswales absorb excess nutrients before they enter our waters.

Nutrient Management on Croplands: protect your water and reduce soil loss, plant native grass buffers.

Erosion Control on Croplands: berms can slow stormwater, reducing nutrient and soil loss.

Water Quality Sampling and Testing: is your lake impaired?

Aquatic Plant and Animal Surveys (Pictured: Melissa Bokman holds up a large clump of Curly-Leaf Pondweed.)

Invasive Species Management (Pictured: Cedar Lake Curly-Leaf Pondweed treatment)

Ravine Stabilization Projects: tired of soil erosion mucking up streams? Contact SWMO.

Sedimentation Management: erosion causes soil and other materials to be transported downstream. Sometimes culverts and other constricted areas can get plugged up. Contact SWMO for options.