Groundhouse River Fecal Coliform and Biota (Sediment) Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Plan

The Groundhouse River is located in east-central Minnesota in the Snake River watershed (Cataloging Unit 07030004) (Figure 1). The majority of the Groundhouse River watershed is located in Kanabec and Mille Lacs counties with a small area in Isanti County. The watershed has a drainage area of approximately 139 square miles. The Groundhouse River and South Fork of the Groundhouse River are classified as Class 2B; the West Fork of the Groundhouse River is Class 2C. Class 2B "surface waters shall be such as to permit the propagation and maintenance of a healthy community of cool or warm water sport or commercial fish and associated aquatic life and their habitats. These waters shall be suitable for aquatic recreation of all kinds, including bathing, for which the waters may be usable. This class of surface waters is also protected as a source of drinking water." Minnesota rules specify that the quality of Class 2C surface waters "shall be such as to permit the propagation and maintenance of a healthy community of indigenous fish and associated aquatic life, and their habitats. These waters shall be suitable for boating and other forms of aquatic recreation for which the waters may be usable."