Red River Basin River Watch
This project is for Minnesota Legislative Clean Water Fund funding to engage citizens in local watershed monitoring, to work with regional partners to promote understanding and protection of watersheds, and to organize and facilitate gathering of scientific data all for the benefit of water quality in the Red River Basin.
Non-point source pollution is the leading source of water quality impacts on rivers and lakes. In the Red River Valley, as elsewhere in Minnesota, citizen involvement is crucial to identifying and reducing problems from non-point source pollution. This project will build on the foundation of the existing Red River Basin River Watch program.
The River Watch program will be delivered through an effective working partnership between local schools and communities; local, state, and federal agencies; and academic institutions throughout the Red River Basin. The Red River Watershed Management Board will be the project sponsor with lead coordination and project management provided by the International Water Institute (IWI).