How to install a soil wrap to function as a slope break for erosion control is the focus of this video for contractors and landowners in Central Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. Crow Wing SWCD, University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota DNR, and Thirty Lakes Watershed District partnered to produce five instructional videos about shoreline best management practices.

Time: will vary;   This link takes you to the MN NRCS engineering page, under Resources and CAD.  This page contains 7 quick reference guides (pdf) related to GPS and Total Station survey procedures including NRCS standardized point codes.

This link takes you to the MN NRCS engineering page, under Resources and CAD.  This page contains over 100 quick reference guides (pdf) describing the most commonly needed CAD tasks and commands. 

This video is a recorded PowerPoint by MN NRCS Geologist Tim Weisbrod. It is a pre-requisite to taking the in-person SM-1 classroom training. Participants are introduced to terms and definitions of the USCS. The use of the system for engineering practices is explained. The video also compares this system to other classificaton systems.

The video is not posted for public access. Contact Tim Weisbrod: tim.weisbrod@mn.usda.gov to receive a link to the video and obtain the Activities handouts referenced in the video.

In 2016, ESRI revamped their online learning program. Rather than employees requesting access codes, they are now able to directly order courses for themselves.

Participants must be employed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) or Resource Conservation Districts (RCD).

GIS LiDAR workshops

Time:  12:29   Peter Mead (Cartographic Technician) and Wes Drake (Agricultural Engineer) from the Minnesota NRCS provide an overview and demonstration of LiDAR tools for the planning and design of water and sediment control basins (NRCS Practice 638) in ArcGIS. (May 2013)

Time: 59:00; At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will know the general capabilities of the Engineering Field Tools software, with emphasis on some simple tasks for new users.

This video is a re-recording of an Engineering Field Tool's (EFT) Waterway Wizard webinar originally presented March 2017 by NRCS Area 6 Engineer, Aaron Peter. The terminology used assumes the viewer has some waterway design experience.  The Waterway Wizard is a Utility within the EFT software that allows the user to input waterway design parameters for a single reach and checks tractive stress and capacity. It provides outputs of velocity, bottom width, and required depth. It is a an abbreviated version of the full Waterway Design Tool (WDT) within EFT.

MECA video providing information on products and installation tips for keeping sediment from leaving a construction site.