LAKE CONDITIONS REPORT Buffalo River Watershed

The Buffalo River Watershed-Wide Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study is one of two pilot TMDLs currently being conducted in Minnesota. The goal of the watershed-wide design to addressing TMDLs (i.e., the Watershed Approach) is to develop a comprehensive plan for managing surface water quality across the entire watershed, rather than focusing on a single water body at a time. The ultimate goal of the Buffalo River Watershed-Wide TMDL study is to protect waters where conditions are excellent and restore waters that are impaired. As a pilot study, results of the Buffalo River Watershed-Wide TMDL study will also inform the completion of other similar watershed-wide TMDL studies in the Red River Valley. The Buffalo Red-River Watershed District (BRRWD) is the local governmental unit leading the TMDL effort under contract with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The BRRWD has been actively working to improve the water quality of lakes and streams within the District for a number of years.