The goal of this project is to update existing bacteria and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) source inventory through desktop survey and field reconnaissance to identify and prioritize locations to reduce sediment and bacteria loading to the Clearwater River; then, design and implement best management practices (BMPs) at prioritized locations to reduce loading.
Monitoring the health of Minnesota rivers is vital in determining, maintaining, and improving the health of the rivers for the environment and public use. The scope of this project is to collect surface water chemistry samples at designated sampling locations during appropriate time periods and at appropriate frequencies during these time periods for 1 year beginning in February 2015. The data collected and submitted to MPCA will provide information necessary to determine stream characteristics and calculate water quality pollutant loads.
This grant will cover all components of water chemistry sampling for pollutant load monitoring at four sites. Of those four sites, two of them are subwatershed sites that will be monitored seasonally and two of them are basin/major watershed sites that will be monitored year round. The Monitoring Coordinator for the Sauk River Watershed District will be responsible for sample collection, data management tasks, attending weekly call in meetings and will coordinate additional help from other staff members and/or interns if needed.
The Minnesota River Basin Hydrological Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) models simulate sediment erosion and transport, however these models periodically need to be adjusted to be consistent with the most recent sources of information regarding sediment distribution and loading rates. The goal of this project is to refine the sediment source partitioning and simulation in the Minnesota River basin using all relevant available sources of information.
The Minnesota River Basin Hydrological Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) models, which simulate flow and pollutant transport, need to be refined to be consistent with the most recent external sources of land use, hydrologic response, and surface flow attributions. The primary goal of this work is to refine the hydrologic calibration in the Minnesota River basin.
This project supports monitoring and assessment activities by MPCA EAO staff and includes lab analysis, equipment, fieldwork, data management, and interpretation expenses associated with monitoring and assessment activities.The ambient groundwater monitoring network describes the current condition and trends in Minnesota's groundwater quality.
This project supports monitoring and assessment activities by MPCA EAO staff and includes lab analysis, equipment, and fieldwork expenses associated with monitoring and assessment activities within the described priority watersheds. Lake Monitoring: Lakes are monitored for nutrients, clarity and other information to provide the data needed to assess the aquatic recreation use support. Biological and Water Chemistry Stream Monitoring: Monitoring to assess the conditions of streams in each watershed.
The goal of this project is to analyze and document database architecture, platform, table structures, systems and data fields at six Minnesota agencies (Board of Soil and Water Resources, Department of Natural Resources, MN Department of Agriculture, MN Department of Health, Metropolitan Council, and MN Pollution Control Agency) for 30+ databases related to water.
This project will improve the water quality of Northwood Lake by treating storm water runoff from over 110 acres of currently untreated urban land. The project includes the installation of a variety of practices at two different locations adjacent to the lake that will maximize storm water treatment while conserving drinking water and preserving park land.
The overall goal is to develop a Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) report and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study that will address water quality stream impairments and maintain or improve water quality of streams throughout the Pioneer Sarah Creek watershed, which is part of the North and South Fork Crow major watersheds. The study will identify sources of pollutants to the streams and develop restoration and protection strategies for the streams in the Pioneer-Sarah Creek watershed.
The overall goal is to develop a Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS) report and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study that will address water quality lake impairments and maintain or improve water quality of lakes throughout the Pioneer Sarah Creek watershed, which is part of the North and South Fork Crow major watersheds. The study will identify sources of pollutants to the lakes and develop restoration and protection strategies for the lakes in the Pioneer-Sarah Creek watershed.
Phase I built the foundation for the South Fork Crow River Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) and created a civic engagement plan. Civic engagement strategies were identified to create greater communication and watershed activities. Phase II provided the analytical and strategic foundation essential to prescribing protection and restoration strategies. These strategies focus on both protecting current fully supporting and restoring impaired surface water resources to water quality standards in the South Fork watershed.
The goal of this project is to decrease nutrient loading in the lake and rivers within the Swan River Watershed. The Local Water Plan currently identifies surface water contamination and declining water clarity as a priority concern of Todd County. Agency members specifically identified the Swan River Watershed as an area of high priority for restoration efforts. Big Swan Lake is specifically mentioned for its roosting site for purple martins and for the unique wildlife resources it makes available in this subwatershed.