Above-normal amounts of precipitation in the late fall of the year or from May to October lead to high levels of soil moisture, periodically producing the snow-melt and summer floods that are known to affect the region. Predominate land uses are row crops (53%), forest (23%), wetlands (9%), grass/pasture/hay (8%), and residential/commercial development (4%).
Agricultural land use in the basin is significant, accounting for over 60% of the overall watershed acres. Development pressure is moderate to considerable in some areas, with occasional farms, timberland, and lakeshore being parceled out for recreation, lake, or country homes.
The main resource concerns in the watershed are wind and water erosion, nutrient management, wetland management, surface water quality, flood damage reduction, and wildlife habitat. Many of the resource concerns relate directly to flooding and increased sediment and pollutant loadings to surface waters.
What's being done
Healthier watersheds
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
Wild Rice River Watershed Monitoring and Assessment Report (wq-ws3-09020108b)- Summary - Wild Rice River Watershed Monitoring and Assessment Report (wq-ws3-09020108c)
- Wild Rice River Watershed Stressor Identification Report (wq-ws5-09020108a)
