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The Shell Rock River begins at Albert Lea Lake in Freeborn County in south-central Minnesota, a few miles from the Iowa border. It flows 113 miles into Iowa, where it enters the Cedar River. In Minnesota, the Shell Rock drains 246 square miles (160,000 acres), all in Freeborn County.

With all the talk about health these days, consider the health of the soil beneath your feet. Farmers in western Minnesota are doing just that, teaming up to improve soil health.

The Long Prairie River Watershed covers approximately 565,078 acres and is located in the central part of the Upper Mississippi River Basin in central Minnesota. The watershed encompasses parts of Douglas, Otter Tail, Todd, Morrison and Wadena counties.

The Redwood River is located in southwestern Minnesota in the counties of Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Pipestone, Redwood, and Yellow Medicine.

The MPCA has released the draft 2025 Minnesota Nutrient Reduction Strategy for public review and comment.

The Redeye River Watershed covers nearly 900 square miles and is located the northwestern to north-central part of the Upper Mississippi River Basin in central Minnesota. The watershed encompasses all or parts of Becker, Otter Tail, Todd, and Wadena counties.

The Sauk River Watershed covers 667,200 acres (1,043 square miles) and extends from the Mississippi River near St. Cloud to within 3 miles of Alexandria.

The Cottonwood River is located in southwestern Minnesota in the counties of Brown, Cottonwood, Lyon, Murray, and Redwood. It begins near Balaton in southwest Lyon County.

Community wastewater treatment facilities and their operators play a critical role in maintaining a health community and preserving and protecting our waters.

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.

Removing Middle Lake from the impaired waters list required wrangling with a bottom feeder, the invasive carp.

Allows new and expanding wastewater treatment facilities to receive a discharge permit prior to completion of an applicable phosphorus-related TMDL. Through pre-TMDL phosphorus trading a, a new or expanding facility may increase its phosphorus discharge by purchasing a phosphorus reduction from another source.

The MPCA has released Minnesota’s PFAS Blueprint — a strategic, coordinated approach developed by multiple agencies to protect families and communities from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The MPCA works with partners throughout Minnesota each year to gauge the health of waters and identify stressors that harm fish and other aquatic life.

The Climate Smart Food Systems initiative, funded by the U.S. EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program, positions Minnesota as a national model for transforming our food system from farm to freezer.

A TMDL addressing excess bacteria in 22 stream reaches and protection strategies for 29 stream and river reaches in the Upper Mississippi River watershed.

Application forms and instructions for applying for wastewater permits.

Green and safer product chemistry is formulating or designing a new product (or reformulating an existing one) to reduce harmful environmental, workplace, human health, and energy use effects over the product's entire life cycle.

Information for cannabis growers and processors to understand environmental regulations and permits that may apply to their businesses.

Owners/operators of construction activity must complete several steps before completing a permit application and beginning construction. These steps also help owners/operators determine their eligibility for coverage under the general permit.