Final Duluth Urban Area Watershed Restoration and Protection

This WRAPS report addresses the waterbodies within the Duluth Urban Area in northeastern Minnesota. This watershed contains a portion of the St. Louis River major watershed (HUC 04010201), a portion of the Lake Superior South Watershed (HUC 04010102), and includes all of the developed areas in the Duluth area and surrounding communities. The watershed is 141 square miles and lies within the Northern Lakes and Forest ecoregion. The dominant land use is residential and the dominant land cover is forest. Restoration and protection strategies for implementation in the Duluth Urban Area watershed aim to improve water quality in impaired streams and preserve, enhance, and protect water quality in nonimpaired waters. Strategies include: stormwater management improvements, addressing sources of untreated wastewater (e.g., failing septic systems, leaky infrastructure), stream crossing and culvert improvements, wetland management, streambank stabilization and riparian management, pet and wildlife waste management, land use planning and ordinance development, forest management, and education and outreach efforts. Targeted geographic areas for implementation include Keene Creek, Merritt Creek, Miller Creek, Chester Creek, Tischer Creek, and Amity Creek watersheds. These watersheds are recommended for early implementation efforts.