Chisago County Water Resources

10/14/2026

10/14/2026

As temperatures are dropping and leaves are falling, it's time to pull your dock and other water equipment for the season. Now is the perfect time to do a quick check for zebra mussels.

Key hiding spots are in wheel wells and other shaded, less disturbed areas. Not sure if you found a zebra mussel or a native lookalike? Send a photo to [email protected] and we can help you out!

09/24/2026

Chisago County has been awarded a 3-year grant through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program to treat the prohibited invasive reed Invasive Phragmites (Phragmites australis subsp. australis). This grant supports an ongoing treatment effort that began in 2016 in Chisago County.

This aggressive species forms dense monocultures that displace native vegetation, reduce biodiversity and habitat quality, and restrict public access. Best management techniques for this species include fall herbicide application. A contractor hired by Chisago County will be using aquatic-approved herbicides between now and mid-October on public roadsides and lakeshores countywide.

Contact [email protected] with questions or information about opting out (individuals opting out may be required to conduct treatment themselves at their own expense as stated in Minnesota Statutes Section 18.83). More information can be found at https://maisrc.umn.edu/phragmites

09/22/2026

Thank you to all our volunteers, educators, and supporters for a successful 24th annual Chisago County Children’s Water Festival!

On September 17th, around 650 fifth grade students from schools in Chisago and northern Washington Counties participated in the festival held at Wild Mountain in Taylors Falls.

Students learned about the water cycle, drinking water, aquatic invasive species, watersheds, water safety, fishing, and more through innovative, hands-on learning opportunities.

Did you know that since 2003, we have had around 16,000 students attend this event? We thank the educators, school administrators, volunteers, presenters, and sponsors for all of their contributions to the festival these past 24 years!
To learn more, visit https://www.chisagocountymn.gov/325/Childrens-Water-Festival

08/26/2026

This weekend, watercraft inspectors from Chisago County and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will be stationed at public water accesses along the St. Croix River for the 2026 Decontamination Blitz. Inspectors will provide information about aquatic invasive species (AIS) and prevent the spread using hot water and high-pressure decontamination units.

We look forward to seeing you at Decon Blitz Weekend 2026 at the following locations and times:
August 28th: 8:00 AM-4:00 PM at Taylors Falls Municipal with Chisago County, 8:00 AM- 4:00 PM at St. Croix Crossing with MN DNR
August 29th: 8:00 AM- 4:00 PM at Osceola Landing with Chisago County
August 30th: 8:00 AM- 4:00 PM at St. Croix Boom Site Landing with MN DNR

For more information about watercraft decontamination and to find the nearest decontamination unit, visit https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/watercraft_inspect/courtesydecon.html

08/12/2026

County and Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District staff update lake levels weekly. To view the latest lake levels, visit https://www.chisagocountymn.gov/347/Lake-Levels

Boat at your own risk:

We are aware of the low lake levels and the hazards they are presenting as some of our lakes are as much as 4 feet low. While we mark major obstructions, we can’t mark everything, so we urge all boaters to be aware of lake conditions and travel with care. Pay close attention to your depth finders and trim up!

08/10/2026

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is renovating the South Center Public Water Access Site. The site will be closed for 2.5 months beginning on August 17. Please contact the DNR at 651-296-6157 or [email protected] with any questions.

Send a message to learn more

08/03/2026

Did you know that Chisago County has a hot water and high pressure wash unit used specifically for preventing the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)? Operated by Watercraft Inspectors, our decontamination unit travels around the busiest accesses in the county and is used to kill and remove AIS from watercraft.

Under certain conditions, an Inspector may require watercraft to be decontaminated before they launch or leave a waterbody. Our Inspectors will also perform courtesy decontaminations when watercraft users are interested but a decontamination is not required.

Where is the decontamination unit? See the attached schedule for the next couple of weeks, or visit https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/watercraft_inspect/courtesydecon.html for a map of nearby decontamination sites.

07/31/2026

The Lower St. Croix Watershed Partnership includes 15 local government partners in Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Pine and Washington Counties who are working collaboratively to improve the St. Croix Rive…

07/29/2026

Come join us on August 8 for Starry Trek! Starry Trek is an annual, one-day event where the public meets at training sites across Minnesota to learn how to identify starry stonewort and other aquatic invasive species (AIS). After the training, participants head out to local water access points to look for signs of these AIS!
🗓️ Saturday, August 8 • 8:30 AM - 1 PM
📍Central Park, 6250 Main St, North Branch, MN 55056
🌟 Learn more and register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/starry-trek-2026-tickets-1992492051362?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawTW429leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF3TkpNVHhZbnlOUGxBbUZIc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHm_rxPk0wL9i_dt7DDnlyDVZB6J4CCC_JWX1C84TAfNJIZmHRwcoboLCKfib_aem_Nud-AqbMrYGa25IHkGA9LA