MPCA finds poor conditions in Le Sueur River Watershed
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has collected data that show the Le Sueur River Watershed in south-central Minnesota continues to send a significant amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment into the Mississippi River. The agency is opening a public comment period March 3-April 2 for a Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) report update that provides strategies to improve conditions, and a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report that determines pollutant reductions needed for select water bodies. The WRAPS update is the second such report for this watershed, each taking about 10 years to collect data.
The river is a valued local recreational resource for kayaking, fishing for species like walleye and catfish, birdwatching, and other activities. Agricultural drainage and recent increases in annual precipitation have accelerated rates of bank and bluff erosion on the Le Sueur River, putting houses and local infrastructure at risk.
Findings include:
- Most streams determined to be polluted for fish and invertebrates in the first watershed assessment are in a similar condition 10 years later.
- Madison, Lura, and Bass lakes have conditions unfavorable for aquatic life. Reeds Lake is vulnerable to future problems.
- There were 22 newly-assessed stream reaches that had poor conditions for either aquatic insect life, fish life, E. coli, or total suspended solids.
- Watershed-wide strategies and agricultural BMPs should be considered to reduce the effects of high intensity agricultural land use.
- Other best management practices (BMPs) include septic-system compliance, shoreline protection, in-lake management, stormwater management, and increasing native vegetation along shorelines.
An open comment period allows members of the public to be a part of this process by submitting comments that will be considered as the MPCA finalizes the report. You’ll find the form on the MPCA website SmartComment portal. The agency also offers advice about how to make effective comments.
