What is the status of bacteria in the Minnesota River Basin?
The Minnesota Rapid Assessment Project (MRAP) study found elevated fecal coliform bacteria levels throughout the river system. Numerous stream segments are listed on Minnesota Impaired Waters list (MPCA Impaired Waters Website) due to problems with elevated bacteria. References: State of the Minnesota River: 2002 Surface Water Quality Monitoring. Minnesota River: Basin Information Document. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. November, 1997. Duluth Streams – http://www.duluthstreams.org/understanding/impact_bacteria.html Minnesota Department of Health – http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/water/com/fs/coliform.html MPCA Glossary – http://www.pca.state.mn.us/gloss/index.shtml MPCA’s Guidance Manual for Assessing the Quality of Minnesota Surface Waters (pdf) MPCA Minnesota’s Impaired Waters website – http://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/tmdl/index.html E.
