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The Clean Water Act established the framework for creating water quality standards and continues to help us protect Minnesota's prized lakes and rivers.

The Root River starts as a drainage ditch in Mower County, then winds 81 miles from intensely farmed areas through more wooded, rolling terrain, and finally empties into the Mississippi River south of La Crosse, Wisconsin.

The triennial standards review (TSR) gives the public a formal opportunity to provide wide-ranging comments about water quality standards.

Data shows that ice cover on Minnesota's lakes doesn't last as long as it used to. That means a shorter ice fishing season, yes, but it also has implications for the environment and Minnesota's fish and wildlife.

Implementing water quality standards come with tangible costs and benefits. Costs such as taxes to residents, regulated parties, and communities help achieve benefits such as increased property values, tourism, and protecting human health.

News releases and featured stories from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

The Cedar River Watershed in Minnesota encompasses 454,029 acres in Mower, Freeborn, Dodge, and Steele counties. This watershed covers prime agricultural land with many streams and drainage ditches flowing into the river.

The MPCA proposes to adopt the U.S. EPA's 2013 national recommended water quality criteria for ammonia as its Class 2 ammonia water quality standards for the protection of aquatic life.

The Lower St. Croix Watershed covers 585,735 acres and is located in northwest Wisconsin and east-central Minnesota.

Pollinators are essential to everyday Minnesotans, our economy, and our food production. Learn why these pollinators are so vital through exhibits at this year’s Eco Experience.

In Minnesota, backyard burning is illegal for most homeowners. Change disposal habits to protect human health and reduce pollution.

Nearly nine in 10 Minnesota communities have reported experiencing the impact of at least one weather trend caused by climate change, and few cities have defined plans to address it.

The Rapid River watershed covers 573,060 acres in northern Minnesota. Over 79% of the land in the watershed is owned or managed by state entities.

Water scientists from the MPCA published four watershed reports in 2025, updating the data we need to keep Minnesota’s waters clean and protected.

This long-term data gathering initiative helps track trends in water bodies around the state. The MPCA is grateful for every volunteer who has dedicated time to monitoring their favorite lake or stream.

Minnesota is a national leader in keeping mercury out of the environment.

Lake of the Woods is a big lake with a big problem caused by one of nature’s smallest organisms: algae. Scientists from the MPCA and the Science Museum are working together to understand why.

The Lake Superior - South Watershed covers 402,371 acres.

The Crow Wing River Watershed is located in north-central Minnesota and covers approximately 1,946 square miles within the counties of Becker, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Morrison, Otter Tail, Todd, and Wadena.

Thanks to years of restoration efforts, the MPCA confirmed the Kabekona River meets water quality standards for recreation and proposed its removal from the 2026 impaired waters list.