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A watershed is the area of land where all of the water that drains off of it goes into the same place — a river, stream or lake.

The MPCA uses the Environmental Quality Information System (EQuIS) to store water quality data from more than 17,000 Minnesota sampling locations.

Surface water assessment grants (SWAG) provide local organizations and citizen volunteers with funds to complete the monitoring needed to meet assessment requirements on Minnesota lakes and streams. Assessment is usually the first step in protecting or restoring surface waters.

From the days when raw sewage flowed into rivers and lakes, Minnesota’s water bodies have come a long way. However, there is still work to be done in the restoration and protection of our waters.

The MPCA monitors and assesses lakes around the state to determine if they meet water quality standards.

Ten TMDL projects undertaken in the Lower St. Croix River Watershed to address nutrient, biota, bacteria, and other impairments.

The MPCA works with city and county governments, watershed districts, consultants, and others on monitoring, protecting, and restoring water quality. This is a repository of guidance and technical resources for agency partners.

Seventeen TMDL projects undertaken in the Lower Minnesota River Watershed, to address nutrient, turbidity, fecal coliform, chloride, and other impairments.

Protecting and restoring water quality is one of the MPCA's core areas of focus.

An index of biological integrity (IBI) is a particularly powerful tool that provides an accurate measure of the condition of the biological communities and are a direct determinant of the attainment of aquatic life uses.

Thirty TMDLs undertaken in the Mississippi River - Twin Cities Watershed to address excess nutrients, turbidity, bacteria, and more.

Partnerships and diversified funding drive the work to restore water quality in impaired streams in the Red Lake River Watershed through science-based interventions.

The Duluth Urban Area Watershed is a focused geographic area designed to recognize the complexity and challenges in an urban center with a water-rich environment. It is defined by a series of small watersheds that are portions of three major watersheds.

MPCA sought proposals from qualified environmental contractors for a contract to support the agency's Watershed Division on statewide, basin-wide, water body, and watershed scale projects.

Removing of an old dam and restoring a creek's curves are improving habitat and water quality in the Pomme de Terre River Watershed.

The MPCA studies, monitors, and regulates water pollutants to protect human health and the environment. Minnesota water quality standards strives to protect water for use, measures health of waters, and guides limits on what regulated facilities can discharge to surface waters.

Minnesota water infrastructure projects in St. Cloud and Pipestone garner EPA’s top awards for innovation, excellence in protecting environment, health.

The Watershed Pollutant Load Monitoring Network (WPLMN) is a partnership that collects data on water quality and flow in Minnesota.

Water quality trading is a market-based approach to the protection and restoration of surface waters, another tool to be used in conjunction with existing voluntary, regulatory, and financial assistance programs.

The MPCA provides financial and technical assistance to local government and other water resource managers to address nonpoint-source water pollution.