Life support for the South Metro Mississippi [Minnesota Pollution Control Agency]

Water clear enough to grow aquatic plants that benefit fish and wildlife is the goal of a project for the Mississippi River in the south metropolitan area of the Twin Cities. Clearer water and improved aquatic life, in turn, support recreational and economic opportunities that enhance the quality of life for the regional community. This project focuses on the Mississippi River from Fort Snelling in St. Paul to upper Lake Pepin downstream of Red Wing. This stretch of the Mississippi is a unique resource, providing ecological, recreational and commercial benefits to the surrounding region. However, the river suffers from high turbidity. In other words, the river has too much sediment – soil and other matter suspended in the water – to meet the Stargrass, above, and other submersed plants benefit fish and wildlife but need clear water in which to grow. Achieving clearer water and beneficial vegetation is the goal of a project for the Mississippi River in the south Twin Cities area. (Wisconsin DNR photo) The MPCA invites comments on a report that specifies reductions in sediment levels in the South Metro Mississippi from Fort Snelling in St. Paul to upper Lake Pepin downstream of Red Wing. (MPCA graphic) Sediment-polluted section of the Mississippi water quality standard set for this stretch of the river. This project is called a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and focuses on the amount of a pollutant the river can accept and still meet standards. It entails measuring the level of a pollutant in the water, identifying its sources, and determining the pollutant reductions needed to meet state standards. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has drafted a report on the project after extensive research, consultation with scientists and with input from a range of interested parties. This fact sheet summarizes the background, research, pollutant reductions and next steps of the project. For the full project report, go to www.pca.state.mn.us.