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By Jayden Jech, DNR, Loon Specialist
As the snow begins to fly, and the ice begins to cover lakes across the state, you may be wondering, “where have the loons in Minnesota gone?” Loons that spend their summers in Minnesota typically begin their migration in the fall to the Gulf of Mexico and the southern Atlantic coast of the United States. At times, they may be flying at speeds greater than 75 miles per hour.
 Photo source: DNR Nongame Program
While loons are wintering in the ocean, they face both natural and human-induced threats. One of those threats is disasters such as oil spills. In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill caused loss of life and extensive natural resource injuries to loons and their winter habitat. In 2019, the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group began providing support and funding for a project focused on the restoration of loons in Minnesota following the event. Since then, the DNR Nongame Wildlife Program has been working to implement the Minnesota Loon Restoration Project with a goal to reduce mortality and increase loon productivity across Minnesota. To achieve this goal, project staff have been working with many partners on four primary objectives.
Objectives of the Minnesota Loon Restoration Project
- Acquisition of loon habitat
- Augmenting natural nesting with artificial nesting platforms (ANPs) in targeted locations.
- Promoting stewardship of lakes and loons with the Loon Friendly Lake Registry Program.
- Monitoring loons, project implementation, and project outcomes.
For more information
Restoration of Common Loons in Minnesota is funded by the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group through the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Deepwater Horizon settlement.
Editor's note: With recent efforts in Minnesota to update the state flag and seal, many Minnesotans have commented on whether our state bird, the loon, should be on our flag and seal. Potential design submissions included a wide variety of loon graphics - including those with laser eyes - and have been a favorite topic in the flag and seal discussions in local media. While the loon is getting so much attention, we wanted to share some articles on our state bird's actual habitat and habits. Watch for another article in time for the spring with hints on what to do and not do on your shoreline to support the loons in your area.
Back by popular demand!
A series of FREE one-hour virtual trainings on floodplain and shoreland management topics are being offered Dec. 2023 through March 2024. The timing will be similar to our Winter 2023 series, with most trainings offered 1-2 p.m. on Mondays, and 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays.
Use the "Register" link next to each training to sign up.
You'll also be able to find the registration links and more details about each training on the DNR Dec. 2023 to March 2024 Upcoming Live Training page, or via the link at the top of the DNR Shoreland and Floodplain Education and Training Center.
Upcoming dates and topics:
*New topics
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1/8/2024 (Mon), 1-2 p.m.: Floodplain Management Basics Register
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1/10/2024 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 am: FEMA Map Basics (including Letters of Map Change) Register
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1/22/2024 (Mon), 1-2 p.m.: Shoreland Management Basics Register
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1/24/2024 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 a.m.: *Floodplain Grading, Non-Structural Development, and Accessory Structures Register
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1/29/2024 (Mon), 1-2 p.m.: Better Culverts and Crossings Register
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1/31/2024 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 a.m.: FEMA Flood Insurance Basics Register
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3/6/2024 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Dealing with Zone As Register
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3/11/2024 (Mon), 1-2 p.m.: Floodplain Higher Standards Register
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3/13/2024 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Shoreland Higher Standards Register
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3/18/2024 (Mon), 1-2 p.m.: *Floodplain Violations and Enforcement Register
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3/27/2024 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Substantial Damage and Post-flood Responsibilities Register
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Remember: Recordings of past virtual training available
To see recordings of the one hour virtual trainings presented in recent years, and other newer on-demand virtual trainings, go to the Shoreland and river-related training page or Floodplain training page.
After its giant cat calendar went viral last year, the US Army Corps of Engineers’ Portland, Oregon office is back with another one with giant cats for 2024 - plus a version featuring giant dogs! (See links to the 2023 version at Cute Alert: USACOE Cat Calendar article.)
Cat Calendar
Each month has a different photo of extra large cats on or near USACOE projects or equipment.
Link to 2024 USACOE cat calendar.
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Dog Calendar
Dog fans get equal time this year with the addition of the 2024 Dog Calendar which also has monthly photos of giant dogs on or near USACOE projects or equipment.
Link to 2024 USACOE Dog Calendar.
Note: The calendars are not official USACOE publications, and are available through a google drive link. Some email systems (including many government offices) may block the sites, so you may need to use personal emails or phones to get the files. If your email can accept files that are about 20 MB (per calendar), you can also request a copy at floodplain.dnr@state.mn.us.
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Are you interested in joining the DNR Ecological and Water Resources Division? Watch for openings coming soon in the floodplain and shoreland management programs.
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Floodplain Engineer: The position will be part of a dedicated team that works with FEMA to create and update quality floodplain models and maps that help Minnesotans understand flood risk. Job duties will include a mix of hydrology and hydraulics modeling, GIS tasks, and database management, in addition to outreach to local communities during the mapping update process.
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Floodplain and Shoreland Planner: The position will be part of both the floodplain management program and the shoreland/rivers management program teams. Job duties include assisting communities with ordinance adoption and amendments, providing technical assistance and producing outreach and training materials.
We'll include more specifics in the January 2024 Water Talk newsletter if the positions are open, but you can watch for openings at https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/. Search for “Floodplain Engineer” or "Floodplain and Shoreland Planner" or for jobs at DNR in general.
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FEMA Region 5 staff (based in Chicago) are continuing their monthly one-hour virtual training series in 2023. They are free!
It's not too late to register for many training topics!
Upcoming "Managing your Community's Floodplain" monthly series dates and topics:
Note: All held 9-10 a.m. Central Time.
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Jan. 31, 2024: NFIP Fundamentals for Floodplain Managers; Register
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Feb. 28, 2024: Development Permitting; Register
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March 27, 2024: National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Compliance; Register
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April 24, 2024: Substantial Damage/Improvement; Register
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May 29, 2024: Increased Cost of Compliance; Register
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June 26, 2024: Floodplain Management Higher Standards; Register
These trainings and registration links are also available on the DNR Floodplain Training and Education page.
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Talk with FEMA and DNR Floodplain Program representatives during monthly virtual Minnesota Floodplain Management Office Hours. Hours are 10-11 a.m., typically on the fourth Thursday of the month (but a few are adjusted to avoid holidays, etc.).
Upcoming monthly hours (Note: all are 10 - 11 a.m. Central Time)
Where: Teams. No registration is required. Select a date to get the Teams meeting appointment.
These office hour dates and links are also available on the DNR Floodplain Training and Education page.
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Important Dates to Note:
(since November 2023 Water Talk and upcoming in next couple months)
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Preliminary Maps
- Dec. 20, 2023 - Olmsted (Rochester levee panels)
- Jan. 2024 - Wabasha Countywide (anticipated)
Local Officials Meetings and Open Houses - None
90-Day Appeal Periods
- St. Louis Countywide - Oct. 25, 2023 to Jan. 23, 2024
- Itasca Countywide - Nov. 29, 2023 to Feb. 26, 2024
Letters of Final Determination (LFDs)
- Dec. 20, 2023 - Wilkin County panels
- Dec. 20, 2023 - Wright Countywide
- Jan. 17, 2024 - Le Sueur Countywide (anticipated)
- Jan. 31, 2024 - Morrison Countywide (anticipated)
Effective (Six months after LFD date)
- Feb. 22, 2024 - Blue Earth Countywide
- March 13, 2024 - Carlton Countywide
- March 27, 2024 - Waseca Countywide
- April 25, 2024 - Pipestone Countywide
Additional Map Update Information:
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