In communities throughout Minnesota, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency staff along with other government agencies and citizen groups, are working to protect and restore our rivers, lakes and streams to ensure that our waters are safe for recreation and consumption, and support fish and wildlife ecosystems. Learn more about these efforts by exploring the stories below.
20 years, 400 volunteers, and priceless information about water quality
It started in 1998 with 17 volunteers monitoring the health of 22 stream sites in southeast Minnesota. Today there are more than 400 volunteers and 500 stream sites across Minnesota.
Northeastern Minnesota treasures now known for excellent water quality, too
New report shows that overall the Rainy River-Headwaters watershed’s water quality conditions are good to excellent.
Volunteers needed
Citizen water monitors like Mike Brinda help MPCA measure water clarity of lakes and streams in Minnesota. Are you up for the challenge?
Jim Frederick: A legacy of leadership in conservation
The legacy of farmer Jim Frederick lives on this growing season. He was known as a leader who listened, a business man who knew his economics, and conservationist who practiced what he preached.
Minnesota and Canada sign lake-friendly accord
Minnesota's Red River flows north to Manitoba's Lake Winnipeg. This agreement aims to reduce polluting nutrients entering the river.
Farmer-led council works to curb pollution
The first of its kind in Minnesota, a farmer-led council is working to keep troubles such as nitrates, sediment and bacteria out of the anglers’ paradise of the Whitewater River.
Helping fish reconnect to old spawning grounds
Most people know that spawning salmon migrate. Did you know something similar happens in rivers in Minnesota? Find out what is preventing fish from reaching good spawning habitat.
The watershed approach and 10-year cycle
Using the watershed approach allows us to breakdown Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes and many thousands of miles of streams and rivers into manageable sections.
Mayflies, another sign of Mississippi rebirth
Mayflies are very sensitive to pollution, and as such are usually only found at high quality, minimally polluted sites.
Water quality in Minnesota: New video
Minnesota is the envy of every state in the nation. Find out how we got where we are.
Legacy funds flowing throughout Minnesota
Nearly all of Minnesota’s 80 major watersheds are benefitting from projects supported by the Clean Water Fund, according to a recent report.
Volunteers keep gateway to the Boundary Waters pristine
With help from the state’s Legacy Fund, volunteers keep gateway to the Boundary Waters pristine
Finding water information just got easier
Minnesota state agencies are making it easier to find water data and information on a newly created webpage.
Legacy amendment hits 5-year mark
On the 5-year anniversary of the Clean Water Legacy amendment, water quality efforts are beginning to bear fruit in the form of major initiatives that will position Minnesota as a leader in water resources protection.
Madelia hits the target with habitat project
By converting old sewage treatment ponds to hunting grounds, Madelia saved more than $1 million and also bagged the Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener for 2013.
Rescuing a treasured urban lake
Find out how Powderhorn Lake (Minneapolis) went from being on the impaired waters list to being named "best lake" of 2013.
Snail Lake – What lies beneath
A dip below the surface of Snail Lake in the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District finds a healthy and thriving community.
5-year water testing starts with the Mississippi
This summer the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency started a 5-year effort to monitor Minnesota’s five largest rivers.
Sister Lakes: Pepin in Minnesota and Liangzi in China
Minnesota and China to share information and ideas on controlling water pollution.
On-farm research: Results that count for profits, water quality
Lake Byllesby is popular for boating, fishing and swimming. However, the lake suffers from excess nutrient levels that fuel algal blooms. Farm runoff is one source of those nutrient levels.
Lake Pepin garners attention from Chinese environmental officials
Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Lakes meets Hubei Province, Province of 1,000 Lakes. Chinese environmental delegates travel 7,000 miles to learn about Minnesota water quality efforts.
Water quality improves in Minnesota River
Testing shows significant environmental improvement in what has been considered one of Minnesota’s most polluted waterways.
Technology helps farmers protect water quality
New technology provides farmers with an arsenal of ways to keep nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen on fields and out of Minnesota’s lakes and streams. These nutrients can fuel algal blooms that hurt aquatic life and recreation.
Healing a river
Organizations seeking citizens in south-central Minnesota to lead the Le Sueur River Watershed project, which will include identifying areas for protection and restoration.
Protecting farmland = protecting water quality
Intense storms of late spring can wash soil and other pollutants into rivers. Producers can use several techniques to protect their soil and water quality.
Partnerships abound in restoring Sauk River
Several organizations and citizens partner in a project to restore Sauk River Watershed banks and shores.
Shoreline restoration
Nancy Carver has led by example by restoring her shoreline on Little Rock Lake to native flowers and grasses and helping educate her neighbors on how to develop restoration plans for their shorelines.
New Ulm dairy manages manure to protect the environment
Dairy’s quality efforts encompass milk, environmental stewardship
Soil conservation
A Renville County farmer strategically planted tree windbreaks, shelterbelts and prairie grass buffers to keep soil and nutrients on cropland.
West Fork Des Moines River
Communication, cooperation contribute to detailed action plan for West Fork Des Moines River watershed.
Feedlot fixes, sewage solutions, and healthier rivers
An alliance of local, state and federal agencies is starting to see the results of their efforts to protect and restore the waters of southeast Minnesota, where bacteria levels have dropped in two rivers.
Willmar’s new wastewater treatment plant a vast improvement
With the start-up of Willmar’s new wastewater treatment plant in 2010, one of the Minnesota River's largest sources of phosphorus is being greatly reduced.
Chippewa River 10 percent project
In western Minnesota, the Chippewa River 10 Percent Project encourages farmers to increase the planting of grasses and other crops to protect water quality.
Freeborn County ditches
Dennis Distad and Phil Tennis have spent the last 20 years working to protect water quality in Freeborn County. Through their efforts, every mile of the 350 miles of public ditches in the county will have grass strips that filter rain and snow melt running off farm fields.