South Fork Crow River

The South Fork Crow River watershed includes many lakes, streams, and wetlands. Buffalo Creek, a major tributary, flows into the South Fork Crow River downstream of Lester Prairie. Land use in the South Fork Crow River watershed is largely agricultural, with row crops and pasture/grass lands accounting for approximately 83% of the overall watershed acres.

Several lakes and parts of the South Fork Crow River 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, and portions of the South Fork Crow and its tributaries are listed for pollutants such as bacteria, turbidity and low dissolved oxygen.

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.

Monitoring and assessment

The South Fork Crow Watershed project began in 2012 with the collection of biological, chemical and hydrological data throughout the watershed. Data collection continued through the 2013 monitoring season. Assessments and Stressor ID work is in progress.

The Crow River Organization of Water (CROW) collects flow and chemistry data at several monitoring stations in the South Fork Crow River watershed. Citizens interested in getting involved with monitoring can contact them.

• South Fork Crow River Watershed Monitoring and Assessment Report (wq-ws3-07010205b)
• South Fork Crow River Watershed Stressor Identification Report (wq-ws5-07010205a)

Strategy development for restoration and protection

• Our Upper Mississippi River Large River and Basin Restoration and Protection Strategies (wq-ws4-38b)
• Summary: South Fork Crow River WRAPS report (wq-ws4-47b)
• South Fork Crow River Watershed WRAPS Report (wq-ws4-47a) (MPCA approval 10/4/2018)
  • SFCR WRAPS Subwatershed Analysis Tabular Database (wq-iw8-52n)
  • South Fork Crow River Watershed WRAPS maps volume 1 (wq-ws4-47c-1)
  • South Fork Crow River Watershed WRAPS maps volume 2 (wq-ws4-47c-2)
  • South Fork Crow River Watershed WRAPS maps volume 3 (wq-ws4-47c-3)
• South Fork Crow River Watershed TMDL (wq-iw8-52e) (EPA approval 5/8/2019)
• South Fork Crow River Watershed TMDL: EPA Approval Letter (wq-iw8-52g)

Implementation plans

A civic engagement (CE) work plan was developed and used by the local CE team to publicize the watershed work and to get more people involved in water quality efforts. The project concluded mid-2016.

• Lake Independence TMDL Implementation Plan
• South Fork Crow River Lakes TMDL Implementation Plan: Eagle, Oak, and Swede Lakes