Mustinka River TMDL Advanced Turbidity Reduction Project

The Mustinka River winds through five counties in west central Minnesota and empties into Lake Traverse, a border waters lake with excellent fishing and recreational opportunities. For several years, sections of the river have been negatively impacted from too much soil/sediment eroding from the land and washing away into the water. Excess sediment degrades aquatic habitat and feeds algae blooms. This project continues a 2012 Clean Water Fund collaborative effort to develop a plan to reduce the amount of sediment washed into the river.
Implementing conservation practices on agricultural land will annually reduce a total of 12,727 tons of sediment and 12,727 pounds of phosphorus loading into the Mustinka River. Several high priority projects will be constructed including three sediment control basins for Randy Island and one sediment basin for three local landowners in Grant County. This project includes staff time and resources for project development and promotion of an estimated 1,680 acres of buffers and 126 acres of wetland restorations within the project area. In addition, one-on-one technical assistance will be provided to landowners for the enrollment of at least 48 contracts with a total of 480 acres of Continuous CRP buffers and 18 contracts with a total of 368 acres of wetland restorations within the entire project area.