Cottonwood River Fecal Coliform Total Maximum Daily Load

There are currently two impaired uses on the Cottonwood River (HUC-07020008): Aquatic Recreation and Aquatic Life, due to fecal coliform bacteria, turbidity, and impaired biota. The Cottonwood River from Judicial Ditch 30 to Minnesota River was listed in 1994 as impaired for aquatic recreation due to fecal coliform bacteria and impaired for aquatic life due to turbidity in 2002 under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Sleepy Eye Creek, Dutch Charley Creek, Plum Creek, and two reaches of the Cottonwood River were listed for fecal coliform on the 2006 303(d) list due to ongoing monitoring. There are other impairments due to turbidity and impaired biota but they are not addressed directly by this plan. This Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report (Report) describes the magnitude of the problem and provides direction for improving water quality at the listed reaches, as well as reaches not formally assessed but believed to exhibit similar water quality conditions. This Report evaluates the fecal coliform concentrations and load reductions needed for eight reaches in the Cottonwood River to meet Minnesota's water quality standards.