Hawk Creek Watershed Biotic Stressor Identification

This report summarizes stressor identification work in the Hawk Creek watershed. Stressor identification is a formal and rigorous process that identifies stressors causing biological impairment of aquatic ecosystems, and provides a structure for organizing the scientific evidence supporting the conclusions (EPA, 2000). In simpler terms, it is the process of identifying the major factors causing harm to fish and other river and stream life. Stressor identification is a key component of the major watershed restoration and protection projects being carried out under Minnesota's Clean Water Legacy Act. Located in west-central Minnesota, the Hawk Creek watershed encompasses approximately 659,200 acres. This watershed includes many streams that flow into Hawk Creek, but also many direct tributaries to the Minnesota River. Much of the watershed is channelized and in poor biological condition. Four streams in this watershed were found to be impaired for aquatic life due to their biological communities. These streams include Smith Creek, County Ditch 119, County Ditch 36, and Unnamed Creek.