The Redwood River watershed is one of the last remaining watersheds to complete Cycle I of the Watershed Restoration & Protections Strategies (WRAPS) process. The scope of this project upon completion is have two reports developed; a Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies report and a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the entire watershed.
The goal of this project is to continue best management implementation according to the Redwood River Phase II Implementation Plan (1999) and install phosphorus and total suspended solids (TSS) reducing conservation practices that will help achieve the Lower Minnesota River dissolved oxygen Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), and the Minnesota River Turbidity TMDL. The proposed implementation of conservation practices include: water and sediment control basins, grassed waterways, grade stabilizations and streambank stabilizations.
In 2017 and 2018, Redwood-Cottonwood Rivers Control Area (RCRCA) will collect water chemistry samples from the 10 lakes and 24 stream sites identified in the Redwood and Cottonwood River watersheds. Six samples will be collected at 10 lakes from May through September in 2017; five samples will be collected at 5 lakes in 2018 from May through September. Eleven samples will be collected at each of the 24 stream sites following the Basic Regime in 2017. Sixteen samples at each stream site will be collected in 2017 and 2018 following the E.coli monitoring regime.
In 2024 and 2025, Redwood-Cottonwood Rivers Control Area (RCRCA) will collect water chemistry samples from 3 stream sites (Crow Creek, Spring Creek and Wabasha Creek) within the Minnesota - Mankato watershed. From May through September of 2024, 11 samples will be collected from Crow Creek and 12 samples will be collected from both Spring Creek and Wabasha Creek. For 2025, 8 samples will be collected from Crow Creek and 9 samples from both Spring Creek and Wabasha Creek from May through September.
The USGS and the MPCA will determine the relative contributions of endocrine active chemicals (EACs) and pharmaceuticals from WWTP effluent to aquatic ecosystems. The primary objective is to measure the concentrations of EACs and pharmaceuticals in water samples collected from the effluents from 20 WWTPs and at sites upstream and downstream of WWTP effluent discharge in Minnesota during 2009-2011.
This project will provide analysis of geographic patterns, temporal trends of lake clarity and relationships of water clarity to other lake properties, land cover and demographic factors by use of satellite remote sensing. Data for all lakes and years are available in the LakeBrowser, a web-based mapping tool that enables searches and display of results for individual lakes. This project will extend and add to the database, analyze current and new data, and enhance the capability for resource managers to access and use the data.
The primary outcome of this project will be to work with five local landowners to implement BMPs that focus on protection of the Renville County portion of the Minnesota River- Mankato Watershed from elevated nutrient levels, in particular phosphorus. This project will utilize outreach and education to incorporate public involvement and input into targeted BMP implementation and the decision making process of watershed issues.
MPCA distributes grants to county SSTS programs. County program locates low-income landowners, within the county jurisdiction, and distribute fix-up grants to landowners to address failing septic systems (ITPHS or FTPGW).
This project will complete the final Implementation Plan, semi-annual and final reports and hold project meetings. The Implementation Plan will identify target areas and priorities for implementation strategies to improve water quality for Bluff Creek. This project will build the groundwork so Bluff Creek will meet water quality standards for aquatic life in the future.
Rock Soil and Water Conservation District will collect water quality and chemistry parameters on eleven Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) approved stream sites within the Missouri Basin during the 2022-2023 sampling seasons. The sites will be monitored according to MCPA’s Intensive Watershed Monitoring Approach Standard Operating Procedures. The goal of this project will be to accurately gather water quality samples and data as part of an organized multi county effort. Complied sample results will determine surface water quality conditions within the Missouri Basin.
The Root (HUC 07040008) and Upper Iowa/Mississippi River – Reno (HUC 07060002 and 07060001) watershed Hydrologic Simulation Program – FORTRAN (HSPF) models currently simulate hydrologic and water quality processes through 2015. In order to support work to update the existing WRAPS report, the two HSPF models will be extended through 2021.
The contractor will use the Scenario Application Manager (SAM) tool to build water quality restoration scenarios for the Root River watershed using the Hydrologic Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) model. The SAM tool simulates total suspended solids (TSS) and nitrogen reductions based on implementation of various best management practices.
The purpose of this project is to assess the amount of land in the Root River watershed that is treated by structural best management practices (BMPs); more specifically, Water and Sediment Control Basins. The 2016 Root River Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) report recommended reducing sediment loss from upland areas and reducing nitrate loading to streams from runoff. Understanding the location and density of these BMPs will is important for targeting future watershed protection and restoration efforts.
The goal of this project is to perform water quality monitoring in order to accomplish MPCA’s Intensive Watershed Monitoring (IWM) plan in preparation for development of Watershed Restoration and Protection (WRAP) monitoring efforts. The monitoring sites are located in Houston, Fillmore and Mower counties in southeast Minnesota. This project will provide intensive stream monitoring for Pine Creek in the La Crescent watershed, Winnebago and Crooked Creek in the Reno watershed, Bear, Pine and the Upper Iowa in the Upper Iowa watershed.
The Root River Watershed Pollutant Load Monitoring Network (WPLMN) project will continue existing efforts to calculate seasonal pollutant loads for the Root River. The Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will assist the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) with water quality monitoring and pollutant load calculations for five subwatershed sites. Samples will be collected using procedures described in the WPLMN standard operating procedures.
TMDL project in the Root River Watershed that will support surface water assessment, analysis of data, interpretation of southeast Minnesota's karst landscape, stressor identification, TMDL computation, source assessment, and implementation planning.
The goal of this project is to complete the construction, calibration, and validation of an Hydrological Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) watershed model for the Minnesota portions of three watersheds: Root River, Upper Iowa, and Mississippi River-Reno.
The Lake of the Woods Watershed Assessment will include the waters of Warroad River and Willow River in Roseau County where sites are located in the lower reaches of each surface water system. This assessment focuses on collection of water chemistry and field parameters at four sites.
Phase 1 of the Roseau River Watershed Restaration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) project will focus on planning and coordination among project partners, creating a civic engagement strategic plan, holding a watershed kick-off meeting, gathering and summarizing available watershed information and data, and developing a data gap monitoring plan.
The Roseau River Watershed Assessment will include the waters of the Roseau River, Sprague Creek, Hay Creek and Hayes Lake. All of the monitoring sites, except one, are located in Roseau County, with the exception being located in Kittson County. This assessment focuses on collection of water chemistry and field parameters at one site on Hayes Lake and seven key sites on the Roseau River, which have been identified by MPCA. These sites are located in the lower reaches of each surface water system.
This is the second phase of the Roseau River Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) project, which includes: developing the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study, pollutant load allocations, watershed restoration and protection strategies, and conducting civic engagement.
The goal of this project is to construct, calibrate and validate a watershed model using Hydologic Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) for the Roseau River Watershed.
The Mille Lacs Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will assist the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) with water quality monitoring and pollutant load calculations at two sites in the Rum River Watershed. Approximately 20-25 grab samples per site between ice-out and October 31, 2019 will be collected along with field measurements and observations. Samples will be collected using procedures described in the Watershed Pollutant Load Monitoring Network (WPLMN) Standard Operating Procedures and Guidance (SOPG).
The purpose of the project is to collect data to represent the ambient condition of the lakes and streams of the Rum River Watershed within Mille Lacs, Isanti and Sherburne Counties that is needed to determine if thresholds set to protect designeated uses, such as aquatic recreation and aquatic life, are being met .
This project will gather watershed data necessary for the development of a Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy with parameter-specific targets that will maintain or improve water quality in the Rum River Watershed. Local Partners will lead various portions of this project and a hired onsultant will be subcontracted to write selected TMDL protection plans.
This project will focus on Watershed Restoration and Protetion Strategy (WRAPS) and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report development for the Rum River Watershed, which includes Mille Lacs Lake (the second largest lake in Minnesota) and the Rum River of which Mille Lacs Lake is the headwaters. The project will produce a plan that partners and citizens will be able to implement, a framework for citizen engagement, and a set of watershed management activities that will achieve water quality standards for all impairments within the watershed.
The MPCA and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) are currently working together to implement a comprehensive long-term plan to delist the Saint Louis River Area of Concern (SLR AOC). Many of the Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs) in the AOC are linked to the presence of sediment contaminants. The site consists of a former shipping slip in the Duluth Harbor that now serves as a private marina as well as the location of the William A. Irvin shipping vessel and museum.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is currently working with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and private consultants as part of the Great Lakes Area of Concern (AOC) program to identify and remediate bed sediments contaminated with polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (dioxins) in reservoirs in the St. Louis River watershed of the Lake Superior Basin. Two reservoirs in the St. Louis River watershed where dioxins in bed sediments are a concern are Thomson and Scanlon Reservoirs near Cloquet, Minnesota.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) are currently working together to implement a comprehensive long-term plan to delist the Saint Louis River Area of Concern (SLR AOC). Many of the Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs) in the AOC are linked to the presence of sediment contaminants. A Remedial investigation was completed at the Site and contaminated sediment was identified at the head of the slip. Based on a review of historical use around the Site, upland sources of contamination may exist around the Site.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) are currently working together to implement a comprehensive long-term plan to delist the Saint Louis River Area of Concern (SLR AOC). Many of the Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs) in the AOC are linked to the presence of sediment contaminants.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) are currently working together to implement a comprehensive long-term plan to delist the Saint Louis River Area of Concern (SLR AOC). Many of the Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs) in the AOC are linked to the presence of sediment contaminants. Bay West understands the MPCA is overseeing sediment remedial actions at Slip C.
This activity outlines a U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) cooperative project, characterizing bed-sediment lithology, including sediment composition and thicknesses, in Thomson and Scanlon Reservoirs using geophysical methods.
The activity is for sediment sample preparation for cores collected at AGP/Northland Slip (AGP) and Azcon/DSPA Slip (Azcon) located in the St. Louis River (SLR) Area of Concern (AOC) in Duluth, Minnesota.
In accordance with a request from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), Bay West, LLC (Bay West) will perform remedial investigation activities for Munger Landing, a sediment contamination site, located in the St. Louis River (SLR) Area of Concern (AOC) in Duluth.This activity will compile new 2018 data with existing data and generate updated figures and tables to support the remedy decision for the site.
This activity is for benthic bioaccumulation testing, benthic tissue analysis, and physical/chemical sediment analysis as part of the bioaccumulation study at the Mud Lake West site located in the St. Louis River (SLR) Area of Concern (AOC) near the Duluth area and one reference site at the request of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
The purpose of this work order is to collect sediment samples which will then be analyzed for contaminants of concern, and the sediments will also be used as part of a bioaccumulation study.
Bay West will complete a supplemental sediment loading study for the Ponds Behind Erie Pier located in the St. Louis River (SLR) Area of Concern (AOC) in Duluth, Minnesota.
The activity is for bench scale sediment sampling to be collected at the AGP/Northland Slip (AGP) and Azcon/DSPA Slip (Azcon) located in the St. Louis River (SLR) Area of Concern (AOC) in Duluth, Minnesota.
