Minnesota's Impaired Waters and TMDLs
Project: Upper Cannon Lakes — Excess Nutrients
Background
There are six lake basins encompassed in this project: the Jefferson-German Lake Chain (West Jefferson Lake, Middle Jefferson Lake, Swede’s Bay, East Jefferson Lake and German Lake), and Lake Volney. They are located in the far west portion of the Cannon River watershed in what is referred to as the Upper Cannon Watershed. The Jefferson-German Lake Chain is approximately seven miles south of the town of Le Center, while Lake Volney is approximately five miles east of Le Center, both in Le Sueur County. All the lakes are used for recreational activities by local residents as well as visitors and have both permanent residents and summer cabin dwellers.
Lake Volney was placed on the 303(d) impaired waters list in 2002 and the Jefferson-German Lake Chain was placed on the list in 2008. All are on the list for affecting aquatic recreation due to excess nutrients based on biological indicators. Within this study, there is a combination of deep and shallow lakes, with Middle Jefferson and Swede’s Bay being the two shallow basins. All six basins are in the Central Hardwood Forest ecoregion.
A work plan has been developed and monitoring work will be conducted during the open water seasons of 2009 and 2010. The MPCA is working with Minnesota State University-Mankato’s Water Resources Center and Cannon River Watershed Partnership to complete this TMDL by 2011.
Map and location
The lake basins are all in Le Sueur County in the upper portion of the Cannon River watershed in the greater area of the Lower Mississippi River Basin. For a map of this impairment, see the map link below or the Impaired Waters Viewer.
TMDL report and implementation plan
TMDL currently in development.
Other documents
Phosphorus- Clean Water Legacy Act
- Background Information on TMDLs
- Assessing and Listing Impaired Waters
- Impaired Waters Overview
Meetings and events
See the TMDL Meetings, Events and News page for notices of general interest and event-related information on impaired waters/TMDLs.
Links
- Lower Mississippi River Basin
- Minnesota State University-Mankato’s Water Resources Center
- Cannon River Watershed Partnership
- Basins in Minnesota
Information contact
Shaina Keseley, Project Manager
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
18 Wood Lake Drive SE
Rochester, MN 55904
507-206-2622
shaina.keseley@state.mn.us