Scott County Road 9 has been closed due to flood waters covering the roadway, according to Scott County Highway Engineer Mitch Rasmussen.

The closed portion of the road is from near Highway 169 to 185th Street W. in Jordan. Rasmussen said the road will remain closed until further notice.

A portion of Carver County Road 45 (aka Scott County Road 9) has also been closed.

A press release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

Backyard birders and wildlife enthusiasts have a new resource available that helps make building and placing nest boxes easier and more enjoyable than ever.

“Woodworking for Wildlife,” the best-selling book produced by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), has been revised and is now on sale.

A press release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

DNR QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Q: Last year, the Minnesota Legislature passed the “Bird Safe” law. What is this law about?

A press release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

Families can have sweet fun participating in the spring ritual of making maple syrup during programs being offered at several Minnesota state parks this month.

A weekend after Twin Cities TV stations blabbed the bad news to the world, Jordan Public Works Director Dave Bendzick offered a different, more reassuring message:

"If you listen to the news, you'd swear that Jordan was going to flood, and that Jordan was going to be gone," he told the city council Monday. "The Minnesota River will not cause Jordan to flood."

Shannon Fiecke of the Shakopee Valley News reports:

Mark Themig, the parks manager for Scott County, has reason to beam.

Last month, Scott County landed its first federal grant for a recreational trail.

And it’s a lot of money.

In its first-ever known try at federal highway dollars, Scott County parks was allocated $1 million, the maximum amount possible, to connect two state trails along the Minnesota River in Shakopee.

A press release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

Citizens who want to view video and presentations from this year’s Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) annual gathering of conservation leaders can do so by visiting the agency’s web site.

The DNR Roundtable Web page at http://mndnr.gov/roundtable includes information from conservation and DNR experts, including a brief video in which DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten speaks to opportunities and challenges facing Minnesota.

A press release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

Turkey hunters who were unsuccessful in this year’s spring hunting season lottery may apply for surplus permits starting at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 15.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) makes surplus permits available at all license agents and online at www.mndnr.gov/news. Online information also includes details on surplus license availability and the status of lottery applications.

A press release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

When the spring thaw signals wet, soft trail conditions, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) temporarily closes some state forest roads and trails to vehicle traffic. Those closures are expected to begin in the next few weeks.

The department urges forest users to check on trail conditions and temporary road and trail closures before planning trips.