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One indicator of impairment that puts a stream on the Impaired Waters List is its macroinvertebrate population. Here's how that works.
The Mississippi River - Winona Watershed covers 419,200 acres in the southeast Minnesota counties of Wabasha, Winona, and Olmsted. A majority of the watershed is cropland, with forest and grassland covering large portions as well.
Researchers collect samples of sediment from the bottom of Lake of the Woods in 2024. (Photo courtesy of St. Croix Watershed Research Station) After years of study…
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is one of a group of highly reactive gases known as nitrogen oxides. NO2 reacts with other chemicals in the air to form other pollutants, such as ozone, particulate matter,…
MPCA completed 100 enforcement cases for water quality, air quality, waste, stormwater, and wastewater violations in the first half of 2024
Some pollutants attach to suspended particles in the water and subsequently settle out to the bottom sediment. At elevated concentrations, contaminated sediments can contribute to fish…
Petroleum spills from pipelines, trains, trucks, storage tanks, and other sources have damaged natural resources throughout Minnesota.
Excess nitrate remains a long-term challenge to manage. In our lakes, rivers, and streams, it is toxic to fish and other aquatic life. In drinking water, it can pose a risk to human health,…
Sediment is composed of loose particles of sand, clay, silt, and other substances. Sediment flows into Minnesota lakes, rivers, and streams via runoff in both urban and rural areas.
Prevent costly sewer clogs by keeping grease out of sinks and by not flushing disposable wipes.
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.
Every two years, MPCA creates a list of impaired waters in the state that do not meet water quality standards.
How to prepare recycling for the curb
The MPCA provides financial and technical assistance to local government and other water resource managers to address nonpoint-source water pollution.
Minnesota law requires that people notify the MPCA (through the Minnesota Duty Officer) immediately when more than five gallons of petroleum or any amount of any substance under their control is released into the environment that could cause pollution of waters of the state.
The Mississippi River - Twin Cities Watershed is 656,990 acres and lies almost entirely in the North Central Hardwoods Forest ecoregion in the Mississippi River Basin. The watershed contains 1,320 stream miles and 380 lakes. More than 1.8 million people live in this watershed.
The MPCA takes reasonable measures to ensure meaningful communication with individuals who are not proficient in English.
The TMDL is based on 62 impairments for turbidity and total suspended solids along the Minnesota River and its tributaries and in the Greater Blue Earth River basin.
A project to address excess sediment and turbidity in the Mississippi River, from Fort Snelling at St. Paul to upper Lake Pepin at Red Wing, based on a site-specific standard developed by the MPCA and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The MPCA is collaborating with many federal, Tribal, state, and local partners to clean up contaminated sites in the Duluth harbor and St. Louis River.