Hubbard County Local Water Management Plan

Developing water resource protection strategies within a watershed (catchment) context is a logical, scientific approach as it acknowledges upstream activities affect those downstream. Although a major watershed can be analyzed and modeled, it is difficult to manage since watersheds typically cross municipal, county, and/or state boundaries. Planning at a smaller watershed level is much easier to determine trends, priorities and cause-and-effect relationships. Implementation is also easier since many catchments are within a single jurisdiction and strategies can be targeted and designed for optimal success and cost efficiencies. This approach will ultimately result in healthy major watersheds in the most efficient manner. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is also conducting assessments of all of Minnesota's major watersheds on a ten year cycle. This Intensive Watershed Monitoring (IWM) schedule will provide intensive monitoring of streams and lakes within each major watershed to determine overall health of the water resources, identify impaired waters, and identify those waters in need of additional protection to prevent future impairments. Biology, chemistry, and fish contaminant information is collected and analyzed. Based on results of intensive watershed monitoring, MPCA staff and its partners conduct a rigorous process to determine whether or not water resources meet water quality standards and designated uses. Water resources that do not meet water quality standards are listed as impaired waters.