Stormwater Ponds

The City of Shakopee manages storm water runoff with storm sewers, open ditches, and storm water ponds. Management of the storm water ponds includes maintenance to remove accumulated sediment deposited with runoff from the storm sewer system. Access for maintenance is completed within drainage and utility easements. The drainage and utility easement locations should be identified on the certificate of survey for your property. This survey is reviewed by the City for permitting purposes and should be included with the Building Permit. Please contact your developer if you do not have the certificate of survey and would like to verify a drainage and utility easement exist within your property.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources provides information to achieve high water quality within surface waters. The following are basic principles that property owners can observe to help improve water quality within storm ponds on or near their property.

These are areas adjacent to the shores of water bodies that help prevent contaminants from entering the water. The best filter strip is mature woodland with full ground-level, mid-story, and upper-story growth. The filter's effectiveness drops off as the amount of vegetation decreases. Full-height native prairie grasses along the shore are more effective as filters than short mowed lawns. The width of the filter strip also affects its filtering capability. Maintain or plant native vegetation over as much of the property as possible to provide the best filtration.

Maintaining a proper sewage system will prevent contaminants from leaking into the groundwater and surface waters.

Soil erosion and sediment contain nutrients that promote excessive algae and bacteria in lakes. Stabilize and correct erosion problems as they occur by using mulch, sod, and other methods to minimize soil exposure and loss.

Carefully evaluate the need for lawn area. Watering can waste valuable groundwater. Lawns are poor at filtering out contaminants in runoff water before it enters the lake. Lawn fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides have a tendency to reach the water systems and degrade them. Plant gardens away from the water's edge outside the drainage and utility easement, use only safe additives, and control erosion.

Avoid using toxic chemicals as much as possible. Use biodegradable soaps and household products, and carefully handle gasoline and motor oils, especially when on or near water. Properly dispose of used oil, paint products, and other toxins.

Natural storm water runoff can usually be handled by the natural landscape. Increased runoff can be caused by buildings, roads, driveways, and patios. These changes add "hard" surfaces that are impermeable to water. Concentrations of storm water can cause flooding, erosion, and loss of valuable water, which otherwise would infiltrate and recharge groundwater systems. Building sizes and hard surfaces should be minimized to help reduce the amount of runoff.

Diversity applies to both the plant and animal communities. Diversity makes plant communities more interesting and stimulating to humans, as well as more ecologically functional. Diverse and balanced species populations are healthier because they are more resistant to disease and other changes in the environment. Shoreland areas provide a unique ecological zone that is required for certain plant and animal species. Destroying this to replace it with lawn and unnecessary structures robs the community of this diversity. Once this type of landscape is destroyed, it is difficult to replace. Maintain as much of the natural landscape as possible to promote a diverse, interesting, and healthy environment for plants, animals, and yourself!

This is the process where surface waters change because of an overabundant supply of nutrients. Excess phosphorus, nitrogen, and other materials in the surface water cause rapid growth of aquatic weeds and algae. This growth leads to large algal blooms resulting in unpleasant odors, unsightly views, and a buildup of muck on the bottom of surface waters when the algae decomposes and sinks.

Information obtained from the Minnesota DNR website. For additional information please visit www.dnr.state.mn.us

Phosphorous Lawn Fertilizer Law

MPCA Protecting Water Quality in Urban Areas Information

Shoreline Planting and Buffer Zone Inplementation