Every two years, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is required by the federal Clean Water Act to assess all waters of the state and create a list of impaired waters.
The MPCA proposed its 2024 list of impaired waters early last month. Stevens County may only add one body of water, Lake Charlotte, located east of Morris. Lake Charlotte’s designated use is listed as aquatic recreation. If approved, Lake Charlotte would be joining 24 other bodies of water currently named to the impaired waters of Stevens County.
Bodies of water already listed as impaired by the MPCA are portions of Muddy Creek, County Ditch 22, the Pomme de Terre River, and 11 unnamed creeks and wetlands, which are on the list due to Escherichia coli (E. coli), fish bioassessments, benthic macroinvertebrates bioassessments and aquatic plant bioassessments, all of which, save for E. coli, affects bodies of water designated for aquatic life use.
Lake Charlotte would be the first body of water to be added to the list since 2022 when Muddy Creek was added.
Lake Charlotte belongs to the Minnesota River Basin and the Chippewa River Watershed and is being degraded for nutrients. A quarter of Minnesota Lakes have high levels of phosphorus meaning they don’t meet water-quality standards for recreation. Excess phosphorus feeds algae growth, which leads to less attractive water for swimming, boating and fishing, as well as degrades the conditions that fish, bugs, wildlife, and desired plants need to thrive.
Across the state, 199 impairments have been added over 54 bodies of water. This is a significant decrease to the 417 new impairments over 305 bodies of water added in 2022, which indicates progress in restoring and protecting water, though challenges are still present.
The list not only includes bodies of water that are proposed to be added, but also waters that have improved and are proposed to be taken off of this list. The 2024 list includes no delisted bodies of water for Stevens County.
Defining impaired waters
A body of water is considered “impaired” if it fails to meet one or more water quality standards. Minnesota water quality standards protect lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands by defining how much of a pollutant can be in the water before it is no longer drinkable, swimmable, fishable, or useable in other, designated ways (called “beneficial uses”). It is important to note that a water impaired for one designated use does not mean it cannot be used for other designated uses.
Impairments include:
– Mercury levels that lead to limits on fish consumption
– Nutrients that grow algae
– Sediment that clouds water
– Bacteria that can make water unsafe for swimming
– Unhealthy conditions for fish and bugs
PFOS found in fish tissue
– Sulfate impairments that may hinder the biological production of wild rice
The MPCA works with many partners to identify the sources of pollutants and stressors to aquatic life, and determine reductions in pollutants and other changes needed to restore waters to meet water quality standards.
Common impairments in these watersheds throughout southern Minnesota include conditions stressing fish and bug populations such as poor habitat, sediment, and nutrients. These impairments have led to studies and plans to restore the waters to meet standards.
Water quality has seen improvements in two locations along the Mississippi River: Winona and Lake Pepin watersheds. In Lake Pepin watershed, water testing showed more than 10% decrease aquatic recreation impairments.
In Winona watershed, there was a 10% decrease in impairments for aquatic life use in streams. Beaver Creek, another water body in Southern Minnesota, is also proposed for removal after 10 years, due to a more diverse bug population. In contrast, one water body, the Cannon River, has been listed for a sulfate impairment.
“Minnesota’s 2024 impaired waters list reflects our continued work to safeguard our state’s water resources,” MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler said. “While progress is evident in the decrease in water body listings and impairments, the challenges we face, particularly in addressing sulfate levels and PFAS contamination, remind us that our mission of water restoration and protection is critical for Minnesota’s future.”
Continued challenges to water quality
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as the “forever chemicals” used in industrial settings and found in numerous consumer products, continue to be found in water bodies throughout the state.
One type of PFAS, Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), can accumulate in fish and is transferred to humans when consumed, potentially causing adverse health effects.
The MPCA proposes the addition of three more water bodies to the list due to high levels of PFOS: Sargent Creek and Miller Creek in Duluth, and Crystal Lake in Robbinsdale. This brings the total number of water bodies impaired for PFOS on the list to 26.
The MPCA said it is working collaboratively with other state agencies to identify and address water bodies impaired because of PFOS in fish tissue. This work is guided by the statewide PFAS blueprint, which outlines strategies to prevent, manage, and clean up PFAS contamination in the environment.
The 2024 list also includes 20 new water bodies that are impaired for sulfate — a naturally occurring nutrient that can also be found in discharges from mining operations, wastewater treatment plants, and industrial facilities. Sulfate negatively impacts the growth of wild rice, which is an important part of the biological community in many Minnesota lakes, streams, and wetlands and a cultural and economic resource to many, particularly tribal nations.
Of the 20 new waters impaired for sulfate, 13 are wild rice lakes and seven are streams. The MPCA has identified approximately 2,400 waters used for the production of wild rice, and this list is open for public comment for the first time, included among documents related to the 2024 impaired waters list.
Public comments encouraged through Jan. 12, 2024
Minnesota’s draft impaired waters list, assessment manual, and revisions to appendix a of the statewide mercury TMDL will be on public notice through 11:59 p.m., Jan. 12, 2024. The MPCA invites Minnesotans to submit comments on whether additional waters should be placed on the list or be removed. For the list, more information about impairments, upcoming public meetings, and how to comment, please visit the MPCA website.
As required by the federal Clean Water Act, Minnesota develops a list of impaired waters every two years. The draft 2024 list is due April 1, 2024, to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which will make the final decision on approving the list.
