1. Water
  2. How's the water?
  3. Water types and programs
  4. Watersheds

Crow Wing River

The Crow Wing River watershed includes over 627 lakes 10 acres in size or greater as well as 1,653 stream and river miles. The Crow Wing River flows into the Mississippi River at Crow Wing State Park. Land use in the Crow Wing River watershed is mostly forested and agriculture.

There are a large number of pristine, high-value recreational lakes in the Crow Wing River Watershed and several cold water streams that support trout are located in the watershed. A handful of lakes and a few tributaries do not meet water quality standards for beneficial uses such as aquatic recreation, drinking, and swimming. The main lake pollutant is phosphorus, causing algae blooms in summer months.

    What's being done

    Healthier watersheds - embed

    Watersheds: Tracking the actions taken

    See actions taken in Minnesota’s watersheds to meet water-quality goals and milestones: WRAPS, TMDLs, best practices, wastewater, and money spent.

    Water quality assessment data for government partners

    Tribal, federal, state and local partners: View and download results of monitoring and assessment decisions for Minnesota waters based on designated uses and watersheds.

    Monitoring and assessment

    Monitoring of many lakes and streams began in 2010 as part of the MPCA’s intensive watershed monitoring effort.

    Strategy development for restoration and protection

    Protection strategies are also being developed to keep the remaining waterbodies from degrading. SWCDs and other local partners within the 8 counties are working together with the MPCA, as well as leading their own water quality projects in the watershed.