Minnesota's Impaired Waters and TMDLs

TMDL Project: Cottonwood River — Fecal Coliform

Background

The project is sponsored by the Redwood-Cottonwood Rivers Control Area (RCRCA). RCRCA is the responsible for the completion of the TMDL and implementation plan with the assistance of project participants, a technical committee, and stakeholder meetings.
 
The beneficial use of aquatic recreation is impaired from fecal coliform bacteria on several reaches within the Cottonwood River and the watershed. The following reaches were listed as impaired at the start of the project: the Cottonwood River from Judicial Ditch 30 to Minnesota River was listed in 1994. Five reaches, including two reaches of the Cottonwood River, Sleepy Eye Creek, Dutch Charlie Creek, and Plum Creek, were listed for fecal coliform on the 2006. The Cottonwood River watershed 8-digit Hydrologic Unit Code is 07020008. This Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report will describe the magnitude of the problem and provide direction for improving water quality at the listed reaches, as well as reaches not formally assessed but believed to exhibit similar water quality conditions. Eight reaches will be assessed in the final TMDL assessment report (see table below).  This TMDL plan assesses the fecal coliform concentrations and load reductions needed for the Cottonwood River to meet Minnesota water quality standards. 

Table 1.01: Cottonwood River Watershed Impaired Reaches Descriptions and Assessment Summaries

*Uses the 1000 cfu/100mL standard

Map and location

For a map of this impairment, see the map below, the Impaired Waters Viewer, or the RCRCA website. 

TMDL report and implementation plan

• Fact Sheet
• Draft TMDL (wq-iw7-20b)
• Public Notice open for comment April 25, 2011 – May 25, 2011

Other documents

None

Meetings and events

Public stakeholder meetings: Doug Goodrich, Executive Director, RCRCA, at 507-637-2142 ext. 124, email at douglas.goodrich@RACgroup.net , or check the RCRCA Web site for more information.

• February 20, 2008; 1o-2, Redwood Falls; Public Library
• April 7, 2008, 10:00-2, Redwood Falls; Community Center
• May 28, 2008; 10-2, Redwood Falls; Community Center
• June 25, 2008, 10-2, Redwood Falls Community Center

See the TMDL Meetings, Events and News page for notices of general interest and event-related information on impaired waters/TMDLs .

Links

• RCRCA
• Basins in Minnesota

Information contact

Mark Hanson, Project Manager
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
504 Fairgrounds Road, Suite 200
Marshall, MN 56258, 507-476-4259
mark.hanson@state.mn.us