Dakota County Aquatic Invasive Species Plan 2017 - 2020

Since the early 2000s, the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) has occurred at an alarming rate throughout Minnesota and continues to be a growing concern across the state. Residents in Dakota County are not immune to these concerns. The county is bisected by the Vermillion River (Figure 1), many lakes and wetlands pocket suburban neighborhoods, and three major rivers define all or portions of the County's northern, eastern, and southern borders (the Minnesota, Mississippi, and Cannon Rivers, respectively). The introduction of these non-native species (fish, plant, and invertebrate), unhindered by natural predators or disease, can cause quick, permanent, and detrimental alterations to a stream or lake ecosystem. As a result, these changes can have a negative impact on the recreational suitability of the stream or lake, which in turn, can impact the economic viability of the local community. AIS have already been detected in numerous Dakota County lakes, as well as the Vermillion (including its tributaries), Cannon, and Mississippi Rivers. There are also a number of invasive species, not currently found in Minnesota, that have the potential to negatively impact the health of waters in Dakota County as well.