No-Till Grass Drill

Native grasses require a specially designed drill for successful establishment.  The SWCD assists in planning grass plantings and has a no-till grass drill available for rent.  Contact the office for more information.

Conservation Planning and Construction

The SWCD along with its Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) partners provide technical assistance to all landowners to:

o      Conduct a site investigation with the landowner/operator

o      Work with landowner to determine the best management practices possible for a given situation

o      Survey and design the project

o      Produce a rough cost-estimate

o      Provide landowner with a design plan for submission of bids

o      Perform a pre-construction conference with the contractor and landowner

o      Supervise construction, and  Certify completion of the project

Cost Share Programs

A variety of cost-share programs are available to help landowners pay for installing best management conservation practices.  SWCD and NRCS technicians work with landowners to access funding through federal, state and local programs.  Contact the office for more cost-share information.

Lac qui Parle County Comprehensive Local Water Management Plan

The SWCD administers the Comprehensive Local Water Management Plan.  Direction for implementation is provided by the Lac qui Parle County Resource Commission.  The Commission is made up of representatives of local units of government, businesses that work with water resources and citizens-at-large.  Members are appointed each year by Lac qui Parle County Commissioners.

o      Comprehensive Local Water Management Plan (2003 – 2012)

o      Implementation Update (2008 – 2012)

o      Well Sealing

Land and Water Treatment Programs
Funding is available to apply locally identified practices.  There are multiple programs to work with.  Click here to view the Conservation Funding Guide, or contact the office for additional information.

Agriculture Best Management Practices Low interest Loan Program (Ag BMP)

The SWCD manages a low interest (3%) loan program for the application of best management practices to protect water quality.  Working with local banks, loans may be made for replacing septic systems (individual sewage treatment systems), conservation tillage equipment (new or used), engineered practice installation (to cover the landowner’s costs for installing a cost-shared practice) or agricultural waste handling equipment. Check out the brochure.

Observation Well Program

The SWCD contracts with the State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to measure the water level in wells located in the county in areas where there are irrigation wells.  Data may be found at Observation Well

Rain Gauge Monitoring

Since 1977, the SWCD has maintained a network of volunteers who monitor and report precipitation amounts.  The information is sent to the Minnesota Office of Climatology.  Data may be found at Rain Gauge

Soils Information

The fieldwork for Lac qui Parle County’s soil survey was completed in 1993.  The Conservation Office received copies of the published soil survey for distribution and still has them available.  You may pick up a copy at the Conservation Office.  The complete soil survey may also be assessed at Soil Survey.

Transect Tillage Survey

A survey of tillage and the amount of residue remaining after planting was most recently done in 2007.  The survey route transects the County every three miles, with data recorded at set points in each mile of the survey for a total of over 600 points.