Minnesota's Impaired Waters and TMDLs
TMDL Project: High Island Creek and Rush River TMDL - Fecal Coliform
Background
This TMDL addresses seven reaches of High Island Creek and Rush River located in south-central Minnesota. Water quality monitoring indicates these stream reaches fail to meet the standard for human contact due to excessive amounts of fecal coliform bacteria.
This TMDL project is being conducted by the Water Resources Center (WRC) at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Contributors include Sibley, Renville, McLeod, and Nicollet counties, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the United States Geological Survey, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The TMDL was approved by the EPA in November 2008, and a TMDL implementation plan was developed to address the fecal coliform bacteria impairments within the High Island Creek and Rush River watersheds. The plan provides a strategy of management and conservation practices necessary for the watersheds to reach water quality standards. Citizen involvement, education and outreach, and pollution prevention are key components of all TMDL implementation plans.
Map and location
The High Island and Rush River watersheds are located in the Lower Minnesota watershed, in south-central Minnesota. The watersheds cover 410,000 acres located across portions of McLeod, Nicollet, Renville, and Sibley counties. High Island Creek and Rush River outlet into the Minnesota River near Henderson, Minnesota. Land use in the High Island Creek and Rush River watersheds is dominated by agriculture at 84% and 90% respectively.
TMDL report and implementation plan
Implementation Plan (July 14, 2009)- Final TMDL Report
- EPA Approval Letter (November 14, 2008)
Other documents
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
- None
Information contact
For more information on the High Island Creek and Rush River fecal coliform bacteria TMDL project, contact:
- Scott Matteson, MSU-Mankato, 507-389-5338
- Scott MacLean, MPCA-Mankato, 507-389-5977