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Minnesota's Impaired Waters and TMDLs

Blue Earth River TMDL, Fecal Coliform

Background

This project addresses 21 impairments for Fecal Coliform in the Blue Earth River Watershed.  As of 2006, 17 stream reaches in the Blue Earth River Basin were listed as impaired on the 303(d) list.  Review of water quality data collected as part of the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study revealed another four reaches as potentially qualifying to be listed as impaired.  A draft TMDL report addressing the fecal coliform impairments has been prepared collaboratively by the Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance, the Water Resources Center at Minnesota State University-Mankato, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. A detailed implementation plan will be developed following completion and approval of this TMDL report.

Map and Location

The Blue Earth River Basin is located within the Minnesota River Basin in southern Minnesota, extending across the Iowa border. 

The following 17 reaches are on the 2006 303(d) list.  To view a map containing these reaches, see the Greater Blue Earth Basin Map.

Blue Earth River Watershed

• Blue Earth River W Br Blue Earth R to Coon Cr
• Blue Earth River Le Sueur R to Minnesota R
• Cedar Creek T104 R33W S6 west line to Cedar Lk
• Cedar Creek Cedar Lk to Elm Cr
• Center Creek George Lk to Lily Cr
• Center Creek Lily Cr to Blue Earth R
• Dutch Creek Headwaters to Hall Lk
• Elm Creek S Fk Elm Cr to Cedar Cr
• Elm Creek Cedar Cr to Blue Earth R
• Judicial Ditch 3 Headwaters to Elm Cr
• Lily Creek Headwaters to Center Cr

Le Sueur River Watershed

• Little Beauford Ditch Headwaters to Cobb R

Watonwan River Watershed

• Watonwan River Headwaters to N Fk Watonwan R
• Watonwan River N Fk Watonwan R to Butterfield Cr
• Watonwan River Butterfield Cr to S Fk Watonwan R
• Watonwan River Perch Cr to Blue Earth R
• Watonwan River, South Fork Willow Cr to Watonwan R

TMDL Report and Implementation Plan

• Fact Sheet
• Draft TMDL Report (file size = 5.5 MB)
• Final TMDL Report (file size = 5 MB)
• EPA Approval Letter
• Final Implementation Plan (approved 11/14/07)
  • MPCA Approval Letter

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

• Minnesota River Basin

Information Contact

Lee Ganske, Project Manager
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
18 Wood Lake Drive SE Rochester, MN 55904
507-206-2631
lee.ganske@pca.state.mn.us