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The MPCA studies, monitors, and regulates numerous water pollutants to protect human health and the environment. At the state level, three agencies share the monitoring and control of pollutants:the…
State government agencies, in collaboration with local partners, are leading trailblazing work to protect Minnesotans from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pollution.
Find out what’s being done in Minnesota’s watersheds to protect and improve water quality.
State will begin engagement next month on an updated framework set to be released in 2025
Every two years, MPCA creates a list of impaired waters in the state that do not meet water quality standards.
The Leech Lake River Watershed consists of approximately 854,659 acres (1,335 sq. miles) in the northern part of the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The watershed includes parts of Beltrami, Cass, and Hubbard counties and the Leech Lake Reservation (Leech Lake Band of Chippewa).
The Minnesota River - Mankato Watershed covers 861,886 acres across Cottonwood, Brown, Redwood, Renville, Sibley, Nicollet, Blue Earth, and Le Sueur counties in south-central Minnesota.
The Thief River begins its course in Marshall County at Thief Lake, flowing south/southwest to converge with the Red Lake River.
We Are Water MN travels to Chisago County, where Dawn White has served as an educator and policy team member focused on preserving waters.
The Mississippi River - Sartell Watershed covers approximately 652,800 acres (1,020 sq. miles) in the central part of the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The watershed includes parts of Benton, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Stearns, and Todd counties.
The Mississippi River - Headwaters Watershed consists of 1.26 million acres (1,961 square miles) and contains the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca in Itasca State Park. The watershed includes parts of Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard and Itasca counties.
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 Otter Tail River Watershed encompasses three different ecoregions, covering more than 1.2 million acres in west-central Minnesota.
In collaboration with other state agencies, local governments, and Tribal Nations, the MPCA will distribute $200 million over the next five years to cut climate pollution from our food systems through the climate-smart food systems (CSFS) initiative. A portion of these funds will help farmers across Minnesota adopt climate-friendly practices.
The Mississippi River - St. Cloud Watershed covers 691,200 acres (1,080 square miles) in the south-central part of the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The watershed includes all or parts of the counties of Benton, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright.
Tools and materials for partners and stakeholders interested in minimizing the impact of chloride on Minnesota lakes, rivers, and groundwater.
The Red River of the North - Sand Hill River Watershed covers 708,469 acres and is part of the Red River Basin in northwestern Minnesota and southeastern North Dakota.
The MPCA has a variety of educational displays, programs, and materials about chloride pollution. We encourage our partners to utilize these resources to engage with their community.
The St. Louis River Watershed covers 3,584 square miles at the head of the Great Lakes and represents the extreme headwaters of the St. Lawrence River.
Stormwater runoff is a leading source of water pollution, and the state general permit is designed to reduce the amount of sediment and other pollutants entering state waters.