The Rum River watershed includes 212 lakes that are over 10 acres in size. Land use in the Rum River watershed is 39% agricultural, 24% forested, 18% grass/shrub/wetland, and 15% water.
Only a handful of lakes 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. The Rum River is designated as a "wild and scenic river." The upper river valley has one of the highest concentrations of prehistoric sites in Minnesota.
What's being done
Monitoring and assessment
Biological, chemistry and flow monitoring occurred in 2013 on several key stream reaches throughout the watershed. Volunteers and local government units, in addition to MPCA staff, conducted lake and stream monitoring on several key lakes throughout the watershed.
Hydrologic and Water Quality Calibration (wq-ws1-18)- Groundwater Report-Rum River Watershed (wq-ws1-11)
- Summary: Rum River watershed stressor identification report (wq-ws5-07010207b)
- Rum River Watershed Stressor Identification Report (wq-ws5-07010207)
- Rum River Watershed Monitoring and Assessment Report (wq-ws3-07010207b)
- Rum River Watershed fish based lake IBI stressor Identification report (wq-ws5-07010207a)
Strategy development for restoration and protection
- Our Upper Mississippi River Large River and Basin Restoration and Protection Strategies (wq-ws4-38b)
- Summary: Rum River WRAPS report (wq-ws4-34b)
- Rum River WRAPS Report (wq-ws4-34a) (MPCA approved 7/10/2017)
- Rum River Watershed TMDL (wq-iw8-56e) (EPA approved 9/26/2017)
- Rum River Watershed TMDL: EPA approval letter (wq-iw8-56g)
