The Lake of the Woods Total Maximum Daily Load study addresses the nutrient impairment of Minnesota’s portion of the Lake of the Woods, which does not meet water quality standards for total phosphorus and Chlorophyll-a concentrations (related to algae blooms) and Secchi disk depth (transparency).
Phosphorus is the focus of this study because it drives a wide range of biological responses in the lake that affect beneficial uses such as drinking, swimming, and aquatic recreation. Ongoing phosphorus reduction efforts are a management priority in both Minnesota and Canada.
Map and location
The LoW basin is located in northern Minnesota and southern Canada.
TMDL study
Lake of the Woods Excess Nutrients TMDL Report (wq-iw10-14b)
Contact
Cary Hernandez, Project Manager
cary.hernandez@state.mn.us or 218-846-8124