Skip to main content
Turn on more accessible mode
Turn off more accessible mode
Skip Ribbon Commands
Turn off Animations
Turn on Animations
FollowFollow Focus on Content Focus on Content
Website input:
Help us make our website better. Give us your feedback in a short interview.
Dakota County Logo
  • Maps & Directions
  • |
  • Departments
  • |
  • About Us
  • |
  • Contact Us
Dakota County Logo
  • Government
      • Board of Commissioners
      • County Attorney
      • County Sheriff
      • Commissioner Meetings
      • County Manager
      • Budget & Financial Reports
      • Performance & Analysis
      • Land Use Planning
      • County Policies
      • Data Practices
      • Advisory Committees
      • Other Public Committees & Initiatives
      • Doing Business with the County
      • Information Technology
      • Grant Management
      • Jobs & Volunteering
      • Public Employee Training
      • Other Public Entities
      • Voting & Elections
  • Home & Property
      • Pay Property Taxes
      • Property Tax Statements
      • Property Tax 101
      • Property Tax Programs, Homesteads & Credits
      • Important Dates for Property Owners
      • Assessing Property
      • Recording Property Documents
      • Property Watch
      • Foreclosed Property
      • Tax-Forfeited Property
      • Online Property Maps
      • Online Property Records
      • Homebuyer & Homeowner Programs
      • Aggregate Tax
      • Evictions
      • Plats & Surveys
      • Taxing Districts & Tax Increment Financing
      • Selling Property
      • Maps & Mapping Services
  • Permits & Licenses
      • Service & License Centers
      • Birth Certificates
      • Death Certificates
      • Marriage Licenses & Certificates
      • Passports
      • Driver's License
      • Motor Vehicle Titles & Registration
      • Recreational Vehicle Licenses
      • Game & Fishing Licenses
      • Professional Licenses
      • Gambling Permits
      • Liquor Licenses
      • Cannabis Permits
      • Gun Permits
      • Assembly Licenses
      • Building & Land Use Permits
      • Business Hazardous Waste Licenses
      • Well Permits
      • Waste Hauler & Facilities Licenses
      • Highway Permits
  • Law & Justice
      • Most Wanted
      • Warrants
      • Criminal Complaint Search
      • Report a Crime Tip
      • Crime Prevention
      • Jail
      • Juvenile Detention
      • Crime Victim & Witness Support
      • Alternatives to Court
      • Service of Legal Documents
      • Law Library
      • Contact a Probation Officer
      • Probation & Community Programs
      • Conditions of Probation
      • Probation Fees & Restitution
      • District Courts
      • County Ordinances
      • Fingerprinting Services
      • County Attorney News Releases
      • County Sheriff News Releases
  • Health & Family
      • Healthy Living
      • Job Search Assistance
      • Parenting Help
      • Personal Finance
      • Public Assistance
      • Adult Protection
      • Child Care
      • Child Protection
      • Child Support
      • Adoption
      • Chemical Health
      • Foster Care
      • Mental Health
      • Aging & Disability Services
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Health Services
      • Veterans Services
  • Environment
      • The Recycling Zone
      • Recycling Guide
      • Residential Recycling & Disposal
      • Business Recycling & Disposal
      • School Recycling & Disposal
      • Environmental Education Resources
      • Water Resources
      • Energy
      • Land Conservation
      • Sustainability
      • Environmental Funding
      • Environmental Reports & Studies
      • Report an Environmental Concern
  • Transportation
      • Current Road Construction
      • Planned Road Construction
      • Road Safety
      • Transportation Studies
      • Traffic Counts
      • Getting Around the County
      • Highways & Your Property
      • Transit
      • Contact Transportation
      • Transportation Planning
      • Sales & Use Tax
  • Maps & Directions About Us
    Departments Contact Us
Dakota County Home
Water Resources
 
Search
  • Home
    • Environment
      • Water Resources
        • Aquatic Invasive Species
          • Pages
            • default

​Contact

Environmental Resources
952-891-7000
environ@co.dakota.mn.us  

  • Aquatic Invasive SpeciesCurrently selected
    • Grant Program
    • Boat Inspections & Decontamination
  • Lake Byllesby Dam & Reservoir
  • Shoreland and Floodplain Management
  • Groundwater
  • Wells & Drinking Water
  • Septic Systems
  • Stormwater
  • Wetlands
  • Cleanup of Contaminated Sites
  • Agriculture
  • Swimming Pools & Recreational Beaches
  • Links & Resources

Aquatic Invasive Species

Page Content

​​Lakes and rivers in Dakota County are threatened by aquatic invasive species — non-native plants, animals or pathogens that live primarily in water and thrive in their new environment, often out-competing native species. Invasive species cause harm to the environment, economy and human health. See where aquatic invasive species infest Dakota County waters.

Dakota County receives aid from the Minnesota Department of Revenue to prevent the introduction or limit the spread of invasive species within the county. Dakota County partners with cities and lake associations to identify and implement cost-effective aquatic invasive species prevention projects through its AIS grant program.

2024 Season Report
2023​ Sna​p​shot of Accomplishments

Well-known aquatic invasive species in Dakota County include:

  • Zebra mussels 
  • Curlyleaf pondweed 
  • Eurasia​n watermilfoil
  • Flowering rush 
  • Purple loosestrife 
  • Invasive carp 

Dakota County Aquatic Invasive Species Plan

The Dakota County Aquatic Invasive Species Plan guides spending of the county’s Aquatic Invasive Species Aid from the Minnesota Department of Revenue. The plan outlines strategies to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species within the county and greater Minnesota.

Pledge to protect Minne​​sota waters

We can all do our part to help stop the spread of harmful aquatic invasive species. Take the M​innesota DNR's Pledge to Protect Minnesota Waters. ​

Anglers and boaters can help stop the spread

Every angler and boater plays a vital role in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species. Following aquatic invasive species laws helps protect waters from invasives and anglers and boaters from possible citations.

The law requires anglers and boaters to clean weeds and debris from their boats, remove drain plugs and keep them out while traveling, and dispose of unused bait in the trash. If everyone follows this simple procedure throughout the season, it’s possible to prevent new infestations caused by human activity.

Specially marked clean-and-drain areas at public water access points provide safe and convenient places to clean, drain and dispose.

Some aquatic invasive species are small and difficult to see at the access. To remove or kill them before moving to another body of water, the Department of Natural Resources recommends that anglers do one of the following:

  • Spray boat with high-pressure water.
  • Rinse boat with hot water (120 degrees for two minutes, or 140 degrees for 10 seconds).
  • Dry boat and equipment for at least five days.

Watercraft inspections

Dakota County contracts with Waterfront Restoration for AIS inspection services. Find more information on​ waterc​raft inspection or become an inspector yourself.​


 

Become an aquatic invasive species detector

Dakota County is looking for volunteers to become aquatic invasive species (AIS) detectors. The commitment includes an online course and virtual workshops to learn

  • Principles of aquatic ecology
  • AIS identification, impacts and biology
  • Minnesota regulations
  • How to prevent the spread of AIS, perform surveillance and report potential AIS findings 

Dakota County will reimburse the course fee for up to seven residents who complete it. To maintain active status, AIS detectors complete annual volunteer service and refresher training.​

Aquarium owners can also introduce invasive species

Well-meaning aquarium owners sometimes introduce aquatic invasive species to lakes. If you have an undesirable species, do not release them into the environment. While most of these organisms will die, some may survive and negatively affect our natural environment.

Educate yourself about potential environmental consequences by going to the Habitattitude website. 

For more information, email environ@co.dakota.mn.us or call ​952-891-7000.


 

Last updated: 4/14/2025 10:08 AM

Administration Center
  • 1590 Highway 55
  • Hastings, MN 55033
  • Ph: 651-437-3191
  • Toll free: 800-247-1056
  •  
  • See all County buildings
    Social Media
  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • Next Door
  • Sign up for E-News
    Quick Links
  • Home
  • Accessibility
  • Nondiscrimination
  • Language Translation
  • Job Opportunities
  • Make a Payment
  • Privacy Policy
Dakota County, Minnesota
Sign In