Upper Mississippi River Bacterial TMDL Study and Protection Plan

The ultimate goal of this project is to describe the reduction in pollutant loading and
implementation activities needed so that Upper Mississippi River reaches can meet the water
quality standard for aquatic recreation due to Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacteria used to
indicate the potential presence of waterborne pathogens that can be harmful to human health. In
meeting this goal, the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) in critical areas may
also help reduce other contaminants of concern investigated during this study.
This project is a joint effort between the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) in close coordination with a multitude of project
partners. The project is located in central Minnesota along the Mississippi River Corridor from Royalton
to Hastings