The following fact sheets, brochures, and short booklets provide short answers to many questions that property owners and local governments have about lakes and rivers. This section includes a mix of short fact sheets developed for this site (Quick and Easy Answers) and additional materials developed by other organizations, such as state agencies and the University of Minnesota Extension Service.

The publications may be downloaded to distribute at meetings or other events, or they may be used in newsletters or articles. For more extensive background, check out the In-depth Information section.

The Quick and Easy Answers Fact Sheets developed for this site are available in both a Web version (for easy on-screen viewing) and a PDF version (to download high quality copies). You will need Acrobat Reader installed to view these. Simply click on the version you want. Brochures, fact sheets, and short booklets produced by other organizations may be available as Web versions or PDF versions, but seldom both. When you view some materials, you will automatically be linked to another Web site; use the "Back" feature in your Web Browser to return to this site.

MANAGING LAKES AND RIVERS AS PART OF THE LANDSCAPE
Everybody lives in a watershed	Web	PDF
Ecoregion influences on lakes	Web	PDF
Classifying lakes for better management	Web	PDF
Classifying rivers for better management	Web	PDF
What is a watershed?	---	PDF
Lake levels - the ups and downs of managing lakes	Web	PDF
MANAGING WATER QUALITY
What is nonpoint source pollution?	Web	PDF
Water quality and your lake	Web	PDF
How do nutrients affect water quality?	Web	PDF
Limnology - the science of lakes	Web	PDF
Effects of agriculture near water	Web	PDF
Constructing a rain barrel	---	PDF
MANAGING SHORELAND PROPERTY
Cumulative effects - lake management decisions add up	Web	PDF
Managing shoreline development	Web	PDF
Shoreland management for local officials	---	PDF
A guide for buying and managing shoreland	Web	---
Developing your lot	Web	PDF
SHORELAND REGULATIONS
Shoreline projects - permits required	Web	PDF
Enforcing shoreland and water-related laws	Web	PDF
Wetland regulations in Minnesota	Web	---
A shoreland owner’s guide to shoreland alterations	---	PDF
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR LAKE OR RIVER
Preparing a management plan for your lake	Web	PDF
Planning a future for your shoreland	Web	PDF
How can I make a difference?	Web	PDF
Organizing a lake association	Web	PDF
Lake Monitoring - learning about your lake	Web	PDF
ALTERING OR RESTORING YOUR SHORELINE
Naturalizing your shoreline	Web	PDF
Shoreland landscaping series	Web	---
Minimizing shoreland erosion	Web	PDF
Impervious surfaces and your lake - what can you do?	Web	PDF
Thinking of a sandy beach?	Web	PDF
MANAGING AQUATIC PLANTS AND ANIMALS
Managing fish in lakes	Web	PDF
Bird life along shorelines	Web	PDF
Managing aquatic plants in Minnesota lakes	Web	---
Managing shoreland and aquatic vegetation	Web	PDF
Coping with nuisance geese	Web	PDF
Field guide to aquatic exotic plants and animals	Web	---
WASTEWATER TREATMENT ON SHORELAND PROPERTY
Alternative wastewater treatment	Web	---
Landscaping septic systems	Web	---
Septic system owner’s guide	Web	---
Taking care of your septic system	Web	---
Understanding your septic system	Web	---
MANAGING LAKE AND RIVER USE
Co-existing peacefully - multiple use issues	Web	PDF
Water surface use management	Web	---
Limiting impact of recreation on water quality	---	PDF