Elk River Watershed Association TMDL Report for the Elk River Bacteria Impairment, Elk River Turbidity Impairment, Big Elk Lake Nutrient, Impairment, Mayhew Lake Nutrient Impairment

Section 303(d) of the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to identify water bodies that do not meet water quality standards and to develop total maximum daily pollutant loads for those water bodies. A total maximum daily load (TMDL) is the amount of a pollutant that a water body can assimilate without exceeding the established water quality standard for that pollutant. Through a TMDL, pollutant loads are allocated to point and non-point sources within the watershed that discharge to the water body. The Elk River Watershed Association (ERWSA) has reduced nutrient and sediment loads in the watershed through watershed best management practices (BMPs) to improve water quality. However, some 303(d) impairments exist. Table E.1 summarizes impairments addressed in this report. Figure E.1 shows the locations of the impaired waters in the state of Minnesota, and their location within their watershed. Figure E2 shows the impaired waters and their tributary watersheds.