DRAFT: Upper Mississippi River Bacteria TMDL Study & 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.