The Crow Wing River Watershed is located in north-central Minnesota and covers approximately 1,946 square miles within Becker, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Morrison, Otter Tail, Todd, and Wadena Counties. The watershed is located in the Upper Mississippi River Basin and is comprised of two ecoregions: the Northern Lakes and Forests, and North Central Hardwood Forests.
Land use within the watershed is primarily forested/shrub lands, followed by agricultural lands, wetlands, open water, and developed lands. Municipalities located within the Crow Wing River Watershed include Akeley, Menahga, Nevis, Nisswa, Osage, Park Rapids, Pequot Lakes, Ponsford, and Staples. 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.
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
What's being done
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
2010 and 2011 monitoring
These reports reflect monitoring data gathered during cycle 1 (2010). The MPCA is currently working on a second round of monitoring and expects to have draft reports available in 2023.
HSPF Watershed Modeling Report: Crow Wing, Redeye, and Long Prairie River watersheds (wq-ws1-14)- Crow Wing River Watershed Monitoring and Assessment Report
- Crow Wing River Watershed Stressor Identification Report
- Crow Wing River Watershed Stressor Identification Report Summary
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.
- Our Upper Mississippi River Large River and Basin Restoration and Protection Strategies (wq-ws4-38b)
- Crow Wing River Watershed WRAPS report (wq-ws4-09a) (MPCA approval 2/2/2015)
- Crow Wing River Watershed TMDL report (wq-iw8-45e) (EPA approval 11/19/2014)
- Crow Wing River Watershed TMDL: EPA approval letter (wq-iw8-45g)
- Lake Margaret Nutrient TMDL: Fact sheet (wq-iw8-11a)
- Lake Margaret Nutrient TMDL report (wq-iw8-11e) (EPA approval 10/26/2010)
- Lake Margaret Nutrient TMDL: EPA approval letter (wq-iw8-11g)
Contact
- Watershed project manager Bonnie Finnerty, 218-316-3897
The MN Department of Agriculture maintains the Minnesota Water Research Digital Library, an inventory of water research relevant to the state with a particular focus on publications since 2000.