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Waterways in the northeastern part of the state are generally in better condition than those in the southern, central, and western regions.
The MPCA monitors water quality in rivers and streams is several different ways around the state.
MPCA evaluates water quality by measuring and monitoring the health of fish, macroinvertebrates, and plants.
MPCA established a network of long-term biological monitoring stations that represent a variety of stream types in their most natural condition.
The MPCA is currently recruiting volunteers to measure water clarity in numerous lakes and streams across the state and then report the data back to the agency.
One indicator of impairment that puts a stream on the Impaired Waters List is its macroinvertebrate population. Here's how that works.
Two small creeks in the Nemadji River watershed are cleaner, and some fish have returned, after restoration work that the MPCA took part in.
The Root River starts as a drainage ditch in Mower County, then winds 81 miles from intensely farmed areas through more wooded, rolling terrain, and finally empties into the Mississippi River south of La Crosse, Wisconsin.
The MPCA provides funding to local partners to assist with intensive water quality monitoring at approximately 130 long-term river and stream monitoring sites.
Water softeners produce much of the chloride that pollutes Minnesota’s waters. An MPCA grant aims to reduce that pollution with water softener replacement rebate programs.
Profile of John Weiss, a volunteer with the MPCA's Volunteer Water Monitoring Program
This Winnebago River consists of a stream and lake system in southern Minnesota that flows into Iowa. The water resources here face several water quality challenges, including high nutrient and bacteria levels.
The Snake River begins its 50-mile course in Marshall County and drains an area of 611,800 acres. The Snake River Watershed lies within Marshall, Polk, and Pennington Counties in NW Minnesota.
The Cloquet River Watershed covers approximately 507,858 acres (794 square miles) and is located within portions of Lake and St. Louis Counties in northeastern Minnesota.
The Otter Tail River Watershed encompasses three different ecoregions, covering more than 1.2 million acres in west-central Minnesota.
The Nemadji River Watershed spans the Minnesota-Wisconsin border and covers nearly 1.2 million acres.
The Cedar River Watershed in Minnesota encompasses 454,029 acres in Mower, Freeborn, Dodge, and Steele counties. This watershed covers prime agricultural land with many streams and drainage ditches flowing into the river.
The Buffalo River Watershed covers more than 1,100 square miles in portions of Becker, Clay, Otter Tail, and Wilkin counties, with a small portion of its headwaters in the White Earth Reservation.
One of 12 major watersheds of the Minnesota River Basin, the Watonwan River Watershed covers 878 square miles in south-central Minnesota.
A stormwater system upgrade in Duluth was expanded with the help of an MPCA employee who tapped into available funding. It protects Lake Superior and can serve as an example for other cities and counties.