Impaired waters
Many lakes, rivers and streams experience high levels of bacteria, sediment from erosion, and nutrients. Nutrients in water bodies can make it a hard place to live for fish, bugs, and other critters that use it as habitat. Bacteria make it unsafe for recreational uses. Areas with elevated levels of sediment, nutrients or bacteria are designated as an impaired water by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
Learn more about Impaired Waters in Minnesota at the MPCA's website: Minnesota’s impaired waters list.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus can contribute to excess algae blooms, which can reduce usability of a water body for recreation. It can also lead to oxygen depletion (eutrophication), which harms wildlife.
Phosphorus has been found in excess levels at:
- The North and South Forks of Rush Creek
- Lake Henry
- Lake Sarah
- Lake Independence
- Dance Hall Creek
- Lake Ardmore
- Diamond Lake
Sediment
Too much sediment in a water body can make the water cloudy. This can harm wildlife and cause oxygen depletion.
Sediment has been found in excess levels at:
- Diamond Lake
- Diamond Creek
E. Coli
E. Coli is a type of bacterial pollutant that can reduce usability of a water body for recreation.
E. Coli has been found in excess levels at:
- The North and South Forks of Rush Creek
- Diamond Lake
Dissolved oxygen
If dissolved oxygen is too low, it can make it more difficult for fish to breathe. If levels reach a certain point, it can cause fish to die off, which can harm the local ecosystem.
Dissolved oxygen is too low at:
The North and South Forks of Rush Creek
Diamond Creek