Lake St. Croix Nutrient Total Maximum Daily Load

The St. Croix River and Lake St. Croix are highly valued resources that provide exceptional recreational opportunities and support a highly diverse ecology of aquatic and terrestrial species. However, over the years eutrophication, or nutrient enrichment, has occurred in Lake St. Croix due to excess phosphorus loading. This loading drives nuisance algae blooms which diminish the enjoyment and use of the lake. This report represents an important step in the improvement of Lake St. Croix by focusing on establishing the needed reduction in the loading of phosphorus from its contributing basin in order to achieve water quality standards.