All Projects

196 Results for
Recipient
RESPEC
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$49,986
Fund Source

The goal of this project is to continue and finalize Hydrologic Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) watershed model construction and complete the calibration/validation process. The project will add representation of point source discharges to the model, compile flow and water quality data for the purposes of calibration and validation. The end result will be an HSPF watershed model that can readily be used to provide information to support conventional parameter TMDLs.

Mahnomen
Norman
Polk
Recipient
Headwaters Science Center (HSC)
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$27,890
Fund Source

The goal of this project is to complete a two-year data set for physical, bacterial, and water chemistry sampling for the Intensive Watershed Monitoring Plan to aid MPCA’s assessment of the aquatic health of the Mississippi Headwaters(HUC 07010101) Watershed.

Becker
Beltrami
Cass
Clearwater
Hubbard
Itasca
Recipient
International Water Institute
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$56,031
Fund Source

The goal of this project is to collect data, water chemistry and field parameters, which will be paired with biological data collected by the MPCA to assess water quality conditions at seven sites along targeted reaches within the Snake River Watershed and five sites in the Two River Watershed.

Kittson
Marshall
Pennington
Polk
Roseau
Recipient
Cannon River Watershed Partnership
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$32,421
Fund Source

This project will support the monitoring of two sites on the Cannon River throughout the field seasons of 2013 and 2014 during storm events and baseflow conditions to capture 25 samples per year at each site according to the WPLMN objectives. The information gathered from these samples and site visits will be compiled for reporting purposes and for use in calculating pollutant loading using the FLUX32 model.

Blue Earth
Dakota
Dodge
Freeborn
Goodhue
Le Sueur
Rice
Scott
Steele
Waseca
Recipient
Zumbro Watershed Partnership Inc.
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$81,122
Fund Source

The MPCA has identified 13 stream sites in the watershed to characterize watershed water quality. This project will supplement and complement the identification of the top 50 sites in the watershed that are contributing to water impairment and also help in identification of priority watersheds in the re-write of the watershed comprehensive plan. Water samples and field measurements will be collected at each monitoring location ranging from baseline events to high flow events.

Dodge
Goodhue
Mower
Olmsted
Rice
Steele
Wabasha
Recipient
Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$92,464
Fund Source

This project will obtain spatial and long-term pollutant load information from the Root River watershed in Southeast Minnesota. To accomplish this, the Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will assist the MPCA with water quality monitoring and annual pollutant loading calculations. Approximately 25 grab samples will be collected/site/year at 5 sites within the Root River watershed (totaling 125 grab samples/year). Annual load calculations for each site will be determined using the FLUX32 model.

Dodge
Fillmore
Houston
Mower
Olmsted
Winona
Recipient
Minnesota Humanities Center
2020 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$150,000
2021 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$120,000
Fund Source

This project will use the We Are Water MN traveling exhibit and the Minnesota Humanities Center's approach to community engagement, relationship building, and storytelling, to increase community capacity for sustainable watershed management in six Minnesota watersheds.

Aitkin
Anoka
Big Stone
Blue Earth
Brown
Carlton
Carver
Cottonwood
Dakota
Dodge
Douglas
Goodhue
Grant
Hennepin
Itasca
Lake
Le Sueur
Lincoln
Nicollet
Olmsted
Otter Tail
Pipestone
Ramsey
Redwood
Renville
Rice
Rock
Scott
Sherburne
Sibley
St. Louis
Steele
Stevens
Swift
Wabasha
Washington
Watonwan
Recipient
Minnesota Humanities Center
2018 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$150,000
2019 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,000
Fund Source

The goal of this project is to use the We Are Water MN exhibit and their technical knowledge in relationship-building and storytelling to increase community capacity for sustainable watershed management in the Cannon River, Cedar River, Mississippi-Headwaters, Mississippi-Grand Rapids, Mississippi-Twin Cities, Red Lake River, Rum River and St. Louis River watersheds.

Benton
Carlton
Dakota
Hennepin
Itasca
Mille Lacs
Mower
Polk
Recipient
Minnesota Humanities Center
2022 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$280,000
2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$104,540
Fund Source

This project will use the We Are Water MN traveling exhibit and the Minnesota Humanities Center's approach to community engagement, relationship building, and storytelling, to increase community capacity for sustainable watershed management in five Minnesota watersheds. The following communities were selected as host sites for this project:
Winona (City of Winona), active hosting period: March 3-April 25, 2022
Lake City (Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance), active hosting period: April 28-June 20, 2022

Aitkin
Anoka
Big Stone
Blue Earth
Brown
Carlton
Carver
Cottonwood
Dakota
Dodge
Douglas
Goodhue
Grant
Hennepin
Isanti
Lake
Le Sueur
Lincoln
Nicollet
Olmsted
Otter Tail
Pipestone
Ramsey
Redwood
Renville
Rice
Rock
Sherburne
Sibley
St. Louis
Steele
Stevens
Swift
Wabasha
Washington
Watonwan
Recipient
Emmons and Olivier Resources, Inc
2018 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$17,448
Fund Source

Bartlett Lake in Koochiching County is impaired for eutrophication and has already undergone a paleolimnological study. This project will utilize the data and results of paleolimnological study to develop in-lake management strategies that, if implemented, could significantly improve the water quality of Bartlett Lake.

Koochiching
Recipient
St. Croix Watershed Research Station
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$38,795
2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$4,647
Fund Source

The primary goal of this project is to analyze of dated sediment cores to reconstruct changes in the lake condition over the last 150 years. This will be done using multiple lines of evidence including biogeochemistry, sediment accumulation, and diatom and algal remains as biological indicators.

Koochiching
Recipient
Becker Soil and Water Conservation District
2020 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,947

The Becker Soil and Water Conservation District will collect water chemistry and transparency data at Straight, Two Inlets, Hungry Man, Boot, Bass, Big Basswood, Shell, Big Rush and Bass lakes in the Crow Wing River watershed. District staff will collect a complete data set to be used for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's efforts to assess the condition of these lakes, and to prioritize restoration and protection activities in the Crow Wing River Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) cycle 2 report.

Becker
Recipient
Koochiching County Soil and Water Conservation District
2022 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$24,998
Fund Source

The purpose of this contract is to expand data collection efforts, public participation efforts, and provide technical assistance in targeted areas of the Big Fork River Watershed for the Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) Project. A key aspect of this effort is to develop implementation strategies for targeted areas of the watershed to help state agencies, local governments, and other watershed stakeholders determine how to best proceed with restoring and protecting the watershed.

Koochiching
Recipient
Koochiching County Soil & Water Conservation District
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$161,596
Fund Source

The goals of this project are to develop and implement a stakeholder and public engagement program, update the Hydrological Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) models for the Big Fork and Little Fork River Watersheds, develop Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies for impaired waterbodies, remove naturally impaired streams from the impairment list, develop a Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) report, and to conduct civic engagement activates necessary to ensure project success.

Koochiching
Recipient
Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$15,365
Fund Source

"This project will meet the following goals: develop, implement, and evaluate the impacts civic engagement outcomes for the Big Fork River Watershed; create a citizen understanding of the Watershed Restoration & Protection Strategy (WRAPS) and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) process and the role citizens and stakeholders can play in attaining water quality restoration and protection; provide opportunities for citizens and stakeholders to assist local partners and state agencies in developing priorities for restoration as well projects to accomplish protection of high quality waters; and

Itasca
Koochiching
Recipient
Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District
2010 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$52,077
Fund Source

The "Bigfork River Target Watershed Assessment – Lake of the Woods & Koochiching Soil and Water Conservation Districts" Project focuses on collecting water chemistry and field parameters at Bear River, Big Fork River (4 sites), Caldwell Brook and Sturgeon River. The project will support the biological assessments being completed by MPCA staff for this Target Watershed Assessment. This work will also train and develop Koochiching SWCD staff to enable them to continue water quality monitoring in the Rainy River Basin.

Itasca
Koochiching
Recipient
Tetra Tech
2018 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$49,925
Fund Source

The goal of this project is to complete the construction of an Hydrologic Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) watershed model for the Buffalo River watershed. Tetra Tech will produce a HSPF watershed model application(s) that will be fully functioning and ready for calibration as part of Phase 2. 

Becker
Clay
Otter Tail
Wilkin
Recipient
Tetra Tech
2019 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$49,491
Fund Source

This is the second phase of building the Hydrologic Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) model for the Buffalo River watershed. The project will result in a completed model including necessary calibration and validation phases.

Becker
Clay
Otter Tail
Wilkin
Recipient
RESPEC
2022 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$29,991
Fund Source

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) requires the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to carry out the Total Maximum Daily Load Program (TMDL) in the state of Minnesota. Minnesota has an abundance of lakes and river reaches, many of which will require a TMDL study. In an effort to expedite the completion of TMDL projects, the MPCA has decided to construct watershed models. These models have the potential to support the simultaneous development of TMDL studies for multiple listings within a cataloging unit or 8-digit Hydrologic Unit Code watershed.

Becker
Clay
Otter Tail
Wilkin
Recipient
Houston Engineering
2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$70,921
Fund Source

This project will continue to develop, and calibrate/validate the hydrology of an Hydrological Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) watershed model for the Buffalo River watershed. The consultant will add representation of point source discharges to the model. The consultant will compile flow data for the purposes of calibration and validation. An initial hydrologic calibration will be performed and submitted for approval.

Wilkin
Otter Tail
Clay
Becker
Recipient
Houston Engineering
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$4,953
Fund Source

The goal of this project is to address public comments on the public noticed draft Watershed Restoration & Protection Strategy (WRAPS) study and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report for the watershed, and to produce a final draft WRAPS study and TMDL report ready for final approval by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

Becker
Clay
Otter Tail
Wilkin
Recipient
Buffalo-Red Rivers Watershed District
2019 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$38,835
Fund Source

This Surface Water Assessment Grant (SWAG) project is intended to supplement the 2019-2020 Intensive Watershed Monitoring (IWM) process for the Buffalo and Upper Red River of the North watersheds. Nine sites will provide water chemistry and river eutrophication data to the IWM. Monitoring sites were requested by the Buffalo - Red River Watershed District (BRRWD) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

Becker
Clay
Wilkin
Recipient
Cannon River Watershed Partnership
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$47,973
Fund Source

The goal of this project is to use a science-based and participatory approach to understanding and promoting conservation practices in the agricultural community.

Blue Earth
Dakota
Dodge
Freeborn
Goodhue
Le Sueur
Rice
Scott
Steele
Waseca
Recipient
Zumbro Watershed Partnership, Inc.
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$106,580
Fund Source

Complete section 3 of Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) document for the Cannon and Zumbro Watersheds and provide input to sections 1 and 2.

Dakota
Dodge
Goodhue
Le Sueur
Olmsted
Rice
Steele
Wabasha
Waseca
Recipient
Cass County Environmental Services Department
2010 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$198,971
Fund Source

This monitoring project includes lake and stream monitoring and encompasses all of Cass County, and surrounding counties. The project will obtain water quality data for streams; in 2009, lakeshed assessments indicated that many surface waters throughout the county were data deficient. This project will address the need for sufficient data on a county-wide basis and fulfill the State’s intensive watershed monitoring program goals by obtaining water quality data at targeted lake and stream sites.

Aitkin
Becker
Beltrami
Carlton
Cass
Clearwater
Crow Wing
Hubbard
Itasca
Morrison
Otter Tail
St. Louis
Todd
Wadena
Recipient
Mower County Soil and Water Conservation District
2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$99,929
Fund Source

This project will place the Cedar River watershed on a sustainable and clearly understood implementation process for comprehensive water management. All people living in the watershed and all groups operating and managing land in the watershed, are responsible stakeholders in the effort. Objectives for this phase of the project include:
1. Develop a comprehensive watershed restoration and protection strategy.
2. Continue development of a more coordinated and comprehensive citizen participation process.

Dodge
Freeborn
Mower
Steele
Recipient
RESPEC
2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$21,327
Fund Source

The United States Environmental Protection Agency requires the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to carry out the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program in the state of Minnesota. Minnesota has an abundance of lakes and river reaches, many of which will require a TMDL study. In an effort to expedite the completion of TMDL projects, the MPCA has decided to construct watershed models. These models have the potential to support the simultaneous development of TMDL studies for multiple listings within a watershed.

Dodge
Freeborn
Mower
Steele
Recipient
Emmons & Olivier Resources Inc
2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$34,959
Fund Source

This project will guide local implementation planning efforts by identifying water quality goals, strategies, and implementation milestones in the Cedar River Watershed. This watershed includes 435 square miles in major portions of Mower, Freeborn and Dodge Counties, and incudes the regional center of Austin. A Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) report will be completed by this effort.

Dodge
Freeborn
Mower
Recipient
Barr Engineering Co
2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$48,510
Fund Source

This project is for the Cedar River Watershed, which includes major portions of Mower, Freeborn and Dodge Counties in southern Minnesota. The scope of this project is to complete the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies for 11 stream reaches with sediment impairments, and 14 stream reaches for bacteria impairments. The major product of this effort will be the final Cedar River TMDL report, which will be submitted to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and public-noticed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Dodge
Freeborn
Mower
Recipient
RESPEC
2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$40,000
Fund Source
There are two main goals of this Cedar Basin HSPF project, A. Overall development of the HSPF model in the Cedar Basin of Minnesota; and B. Shell Rock River nutrient, DO , impairment modeling and TMDL completion.
Dodge
Freeborn
Mower
Steele
Recipient
Emmons & Oliver Resources (EOR)
2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$30,000
Fund Source
The goal of this project is to develop a phosphorus Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for St. Clair Lake.
Becker
Recipient
Red Lake Watershed District
2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$185,473
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$100,000
Fund Source

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 impairments and maintain or improve water quality throughout the Clearwater River watershed. The study will identify sources of pollutants to the streams and lakes, allocate pollution reduction goals, and prioritize and identify implementation strategies to maintain or improve water quality in key lakes and streams in the watershed.

Beltrami
Clearwater
Mahnomen
Pennington
Polk
Red Lake
Recipient
Emmons & Olivier Resources (EOR)
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$51,477
Fund Source

This project will develop a TMDL for all impaired lakes within the Crow Wing Watershed by furthering data collection in the watershed, analysis of data, allocation calculations, and introducing outreach and stakeholder participation activities.

Becker
Cass
Clearwater
Crow Wing
Hubbard
Morrison
Otter Tail
Todd
Wadena
Recipient
Wadena Soil and Water Conservation District
2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$30,000
Fund Source

This project will provide Stressor ID work and assistance for the development of a work plan for the Major Watershed Project. The Major Watershed Project will include a plan for civic engagement and outreach, with assistance from ten Local Government Units from the Crow Wing River Watershed.

Becker
Cass
Clearwater
Crow Wing
Hubbard
Morrison
Otter Tail
Todd
Wadena
Recipient
Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District
2010 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$45,964
Fund Source

This project will collect a complete Trophic Site Index (TSI) data set for Crow Wing County lakes and a complete data set for streams and rivers for the Intensive Monitoring Program (IMP). Crow Wing County, Cass County, Wadena County, Morrison County and Hubbard County are partnering to ensure that all target lakes and rivers within the Crow Wing River watershed are monitored efficiently.

Aitkin
Becker
Cass
Clearwater
Crow Wing
Hubbard
Morrison
Otter Tail
Todd
Wadena
Recipient
Emmons & Olivier Resources
2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$15,041
Fund Source

This first year of the project will collect available data relevant to the TMDL development, determine the data sets best suited for the TMDL development. Gain a better understanding of the watershed and impaired lakes, and assessment of all potential sources (internal and external) of the causes of lake impairment. EOR will also review the data produced by the MPCA for the impairment assessment for each of the lakes during year 1 of the project.

Becker
Cass
Clearwater
Crow Wing
Hubbard
Morrison
Otter Tail
Todd
Wadena
Recipient
Wadena Soil and Water Conservation District
2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$30,000
Fund Source

This project will initiate project coordination among project partners. It will enhance civic engagement and outreach endeavors activities to support Phase 2 of TMDL project. It will also support field activities associated with stressor ID work.

Becker
Cass
Clearwater
Crow Wing
Hubbard
Morrison
Otter Tail
Wadena
Recipient
Buffalo-Red River Watershed District
2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$249,968
Fund Source

The Buffalo River Watershed Pilot Project is one of two pilots in Minnesota designed to develop a watershed approach for managing Minnesota’s surface waters. The goal of this project is to develop a plan that will guide surface water quality management throughout the watershed.

Becker
Clay
Otter Tail
Wilkin
Recipient
University of Minnesota
2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$33,414
Fund Source

This project will identify and compile existing nitrate data from groundwaters and surface waters in the Lower Mississippi Basin (LMB) generally and focus on the Root River Watershed. The purpose is to investigate the quantity and quality of existing nitrate data, and to organize it for use in comprehensive watershed strategy development (including assessment, TMDL computation and identification and study of nitrate sources and delivery mechanisms).

Dodge
Fillmore
Houston
Mower
Olmsted
Winona
Recipient
Mower County Soil and Water Conservation District
2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$182,020
Fund Source

This project will build upon existing planning and implementation efforts already taken on in the project area. The collection of existing information will be used to complement water information in support of a more successful and sustainable water quality improvement and protection implementation program. This will be achieved by active civic engagement activities throughout Phase I of this project.

Dodge
Freeborn
Mower
Steele