Mississippi River Brainerd Area Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load Report

This Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study was completed for impaired waterbodies of the Mississippi-Brainerd Area Watershed (Hydrologic Unit Code [HUC] 07010104), which is part of the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The study addresses 8 river/stream reach bacteria impairments, 2 river/stream reach biology impairments of macroinvertebrates, and 11 lake nutrient impairments. The goal of this TMDL study is to quantify the pollutant reductions needed to meet the state water quality standards for bacteria (E. coli), macroinvertebrates, and nutrients (phosphorus [P]) for impaired streams and lakes located in the Mississippi-Brainerd Area Watershed. E. coli bacteria is an indicator of health risk from water contact in recreational waters. Biology impairments (benthic macroinvertebrates) are small aquatic animals and the aquatic larval stages of insects which are commonly used as indicators of the biological condition of waterways. The presence of only pollution-tolerant species or very little diversity indicate a less healthy waterway. Excess nutrients in lakes can not only cause an increased algal presence, but can also lead to blue-green algae that can produce toxins that are harmful to human and animal health.