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Minnesota's Impaired Waters and TMDLs

TMDL Project: Lake Crystal — Excess Nutrients

Background

Lake Crystal blue-green algae bloom, September 9th, 2004
Lake Crystal blue-green algae bloom, September 9, 2004.

Crystal Lake Blue-green algae bloom June 13, 2007
Lake Crystal blue-green algae bloom,
June 13, 2007.

Crystal Lake, a portion of the Crystal, Loon and Mills lake watershed, was listed on the 303d impaired waters list for excess nutrients in 2006. This listing was the result of previous monitoring data, investigative projects, and local support following toxic blue-green algae blooms in the fall of 2004. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency staff reported a concentration of microcystin, a blue-green algae toxin at 7190 ug/L. The acceptable exposure levels based on the World Health Organizations is 1.0ug/L.

Crystal Lake is 355 acres, with a contributing watershed of 15,900 acres. Based on the 1990 land use inventory, approximately 77 percent of the watershed is used for agriculture. This watershed has significant local importance, as it is a popular recreational area and also contains the city of Lake Crystal.

Crystal Lake receives surface water from two primary sources, County Ditch 56 and the outlet of Loon Lake. The study found County Ditch 56 to be a major contributor of nutrients and sediment to Crystal Lake. Ditch 56 drains agricultural land to the southwest of Lake Crystal and a portion of the city of Lake Crystal before discharging into the lake.

The TMDL program provides a cooperative approach where MPCA can assist the Water Resources Center at Mankato and the city of Lake Crystal in upgrading data collection, analysis and TMDL development operations. This project will also work in conjunction with the current Clean Water Partnership which is actively working toward reducing nutrient input from various areas of the watershed. The work plan for the TMDL has been completed, with ongoing monitoring continuing though 2009. Citizens within the area are invited to upcoming meetings to discuss the project and future work to be done. A citizen stakeholder group is still being developed.

Map and location

Lake Crystal is part of the Crystal Loon Mills watershed.  Crystal Loon Mills watershed is located in Blue Earth County in the Minnesota River - Mankato watershed in the Minnesota River basin. 

Map of Lake Crystal and Crystal Loon Mills Watershed

TMDL report and implementation plan

    Other documents and online information

    Factsheets:

    Meetings and events

    Open house on the study report: Monday, Sept. 10, from 5-7:30 p.m. at Robinson Park in the city of Lake Crystal. Visit with MPCA staff and others who worked on the study and learn about the work needed to reduce nutrient levels and algal blooms in the lake.

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

    Links

    Information contact

    Paul Davis, Project Manager
    Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
    12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 2165
    Mankato MN 56001
    507-344-5246

    Scott Bohling
    Water Resources Center, MSUM
    184 Trafton Science Center, South
    Mankato, MN 56001
    507-389-2355

    Last modified on August 27, 2012 16:43