Identifying Sediment Sources in the Minnesota River Basin Summary

Many of the streams and rivers in the Minnesota River Basin show high levels of turbidity, which impairs the ecosystem of the river, as well as the Mississippi River and Lake Pepin. Considerable research flows into understanding the sources and fate of sediment, the primary cause of turbidity in the basin's streams and rivers. Researchers from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and affiliates have issued a report summarizing the current research, "Identifying sediment sources in the Minnesota River Basin." It describes the context and different sediment sources, and summarizes current understanding; yet, more research is necessary. Much evidence indicates that most of the sediment entering Lake Pepin comes from the Minnesota River Basin, and that the rate of sediment supply has increased ten-fold over the past 150 years. The basin's geological history, climate, and land use are primary factors.