The primary objective of this program is to determine the health of lakes and streams in Minnesota. Through funded projects, local partners collect surface water quality data used to identify lakes and streams that are in need of restoration or protection strategies. The MPCA focuses these strategies at the major watershed scale.
Eligible partners include soil and water conservation districts, watershed districts, watershed management organizations, local governmental units (i.e., counties, cities, townships, lake associations, and lake improvement districts), American Indian tribal governments in Minnesota, Minnesota colleges and universities, and joint powers organizations. Nonprofit and for-profit organizations are eligible only as subcontractors.
SWAGs provide funding for staff hours, training, supplies and equipment, and lab analysis. Where possible, volunteers are encouraged to participate in coordination with local partners to assist with monitoring efforts.
Through Surface water assessment grants, local partners have provided water-quality data for lake and stream sites throughout the state. To date, the MPCA has awarded 215 grants and agreements totaling $11.5 million.
FY2025 partnerships
The MPCA awarded contracts to 18 local and Tribal government organizations in 2025 totaling $625,000. These organizations are monitoring 151 lake and streams sites across several watersheds including the Cannon River, Clearwater River, Des Moines River, Lower Des Moines River, East Fork – Des Moines River, Lower Minnesota River, Rainy River – Headwaters, and Red Lake Watersheds.
Learn more about these and past SWAG projects on the Minnesota Legacy web site.
- Carver County WMO
- Cook SWCD
- Dakota County SWCD
- Heron Lake WD
- Jackson County SWCD
- Lake County SWCD
- Le Sueur County
- Martin County SWCD
- North St. Louis SWCD
- Nicollet SWCD
- Nobles County SWCD
- Prior Lake Spring Lake WD
- Red Lake DNR
- Red Lake WD
- Scott SWCD
- Sibley SWCD
- Vermilion Community College
- White Earth Tribal Nation