Winter Salt Week Proclamation

Posted: 01/27/26

The Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) Board of Managers issued a proclamation for Winter Salt Week, a week dedicated to raising awareness around salt reduction solutions. Communities across the watershed recognize the need to remove ice to maintain safe and accessible roads, sidewalks, and parking areas during winter months; however, salt applied on pavement inevitably enters nearby water and soil—where it can pose long-term risks to ecosystems, drinking water sources, and soil health.

Winter Salt Week is recognized during January 26-30, 2026. Winter Salt Week is dedicated to raising awareness around salt reduction solutions. Winter Salt Week invites our audience to recognize the use and impacts of salt, also known as chloride, and find ways to reduce our reliance on it.

Here are ways you can get involved:

1. Stream a webinar: Watch a smart salting webinar to learn more.
2. Adopt the Proclamation recognizing Winter Salt Week.
3. Learn more about Smart Salting practices through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. 
4. Learn with Salty Dawg family-friendly activities. 

In collaboration with Dakota County, the LMRWD is welcoming the Salty Dawg mascot to help educate community members about the impacts of using salt for winter maintenance. Learn more about Winter Salt Week and how you can stay informed on chloride reduction to our priceless waters. Download the following activities to educate your family about chloride use and spread the word within your community:

• Welcome to the Watershed Flier (PDF)
• Salty Dawg Activity Book (PDF)
• Winter Salt Week Scavenger Hunt (PDF)

For more resources, visit wintersaltweek.org and Low Salt, No Salt Minnesota. Together, we can keep winter roads safe and our waters healthy!