Minnesota's Impaired Waters and TMDLs

TMDL Project: Lake Independence — Excess Nutrients

Background

Lake Independence is classified as a recreational water; the primary uses include swimming, fishing and boating. Land use in the watershed surrounding Lake Independence is predominantly agricultural and is undergoing rapid development of multi-acre, single-family hobby farms. The lake is listed as impaired for excess nutrients, the total phosphorus concentration averages violate the state standard for recreational waters. The Pioneer-Sarah Creek Watershed Management Commission appointed a community stakeholder committee to address concerns about nutrient levels in Lake Independence. The Lake Independence TMDL report was approved by the EPA on February 23, 2007.

Map and location

Lake Independence is located approximately 15 miles west of Minneapolis in the South Fork Crow River watershed in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The watershed includes portions of Medina, Independence, and Loretto and is located in Hennepin County.

• Map of Eutrophic lakes in the Upper Mississippi Basin, including Lake Independence

TMDL report and implementation plan

TMDL Approved by the EPA on February 23, 2007.

• Final TMDL Report 
• Fact Sheet
• EPA Approval Letter (February 23, 2007)
• Implementation Plan

Other documents

None

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

• Upper Mississippi River Basin

Information contact

Timothy Larson
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
520 Lafayette Road N
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-757-2341
Fax: 651-297-8676
timothy.larson@state.mn.us