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Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to begin monitoring area watersheds

[/title][fusion_text]Monday, April 18th 2016

Crews from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and two county Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offices will begin monitoring in the Mississippi River-Sartell and Mississippi River-Brainerd Watersheds beginning in May in an effort to assess the condition of rivers, streams, and lakes that lie within these watersheds. In addition, MPCA lake monitoring crews will collect water samples from all lakes greater than 500 acres in size, and as many lakes over 100 acres as possible. The lake monitoring teams will focus on water clarity, nutrient concentrations, and other water chemistry parameters to assess the lakes for their ability to support recreational uses such as swimming. MPCA partners with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on lakes for the collection of fish and plant data to help determine how well lakes support aquatic life. The MPCA has standards for what the biology and water chemistry should look like at a given sampling location. If a specific sample does not meet those expectations, the sampling location could be considered impaired and restoration activities will be undertaken. In an effort to inform the public about the comprehensive watershed projects being launched this spring by the MPCA and its local partners, open houses have been scheduled for each watershed. The Mississippi River-Sartell Watershed open house will be held Wednesday, April 27, at the Rice Lions Club Building, 101 Fourth Ave. NW, Rice, from 4 to 7:30pm. The Mississippi River-Brainerd Watershed open house will be held Thursday, May 19, at the Northern Arboretum, 14250 Conservation Drive, Brainerd, from 4 to 7pm.

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