impaired waters – East Metro Water

Bone Lake removed from the impaired waters’ list after more than a decade of watershed work

By: angiehongmn May 30, 2024

Keeping water clean, Local AchievementsBone Lake, comfort lake - forest lake watershed district, delisting, featured, impaired waters, Scandia1 Comment

The water in Bone Lake is clean enough for fishing, swimming, and water recreation for the first time in 20 years, thanks to a comprehensive watershed restoration effort led by the Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District, in partnership with the Bone Lake Association. Join the Delisting Celebration on Thursday, June 11 at 5pm.

Minnesota water – some getting better, some getting worse

By: angiehongmn November 27, 2023

Keeping water clean, Local Achievementscomfort lake - forest lake watershed district, featured, impaired waters, Maplewood, ramsey washington metro watershed district, restored lakes, rice creek watershed district, Scandia, south washington watershed districtLeave a Comment

In the Twin Cities east metro, improving lakes that are set to be “de-listed” include Bone Lake – Scandia (Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District); White Rock Lake – Scandia, Bald Eagle Lake – White Bear Township, and Golden Lake – Circle Pines (Rice Creek Watershed District); La Lake – Woodbury (South Washington Watershed District); and Kohlman Lake – Maplewood (Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District).

Is it safe to fish and swim?

By: angiehongmn August 18, 2023August 15, 2023

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanfeatured, fishing, impaired waters, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota lakes, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, swimming, water quality1 Comment

How can you determine if your favorite local lake is safe for fishing and swimming? Though water quality data is collected and updated regularly, finding the information online isn’t terribly intuitive.

Mercury levels going down in Minnesota lakes

By: angiehongmn October 24, 2022

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanfeatured, impaired waters, mercury, Minnesota lakes, MPCA, water pollutionLeave a Comment

In 2020, the MPCA removed Forest Lake, Tanners Lake (Oakdale), Owasso (Roseville/Shoreview), Johanna (Arden Hills) and eight lakes in northern Minnesota from the state’s impaired waters list. This was the first time in Minnesota history that any lake or river recovered from a mercury impairment.

Fifty-three Minnesota lakes and streams to be de-listed in 2022

By: angiehongmn November 18, 2021May 24, 2022

Keeping water clean, Local Achievements, Partners and UpdatesBrown's Creek Watershed District, Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District, clean water, featured, impaired waters, middle st. croix watershed management organization, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Valley Branch Watershed DistrictLeave a Comment

Local lakes scheduled to be delisted next year include East Boot (May Twp), Echo (Mahtomedi), Hay and Jellums (Scandia), Lily and South Twin (Stillwater), and Plaisted (Hugo).

St. Croix River impairment underscores need for continued work

By: angiehongmn December 3, 2019

Keeping water cleanfeatured, impaired waters, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, St. Croix River, St. Croix River Association1 Comment

Three weeks ago, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced its intention to declare a stretch of the St. Croix River from Taylor’s Falls to Stillwater impaired due to excess phosphorus. In the wake of this news, many local residents have asked who is to blame and what can be done to restore our treasured…

Statewide Feedback on Water Issues Echoes Local Concerns in East Metro and St. Croix Valley

By: angiehongmn March 8, 2018

Keeping water cleanimpaired waters, lakes, mercury, phosphorus, streams, water, watershed managementLeave a Comment

Data shows that 40% of Minnesota lakes, rivers and streams are classified as impaired, and the East Metro and St. Croix Valley are no exception.

St. Croix – River or Lake?

By: angiehongmn February 22, 2016

Uncategorizedimpaired waters, non-point source pollution, St. Croix RiverLeave a Comment

In this report, people might be surprised to learn that the St. Croix “River” from Stillwater to Prescott is not just a lake, it is four lakes!

Recent unhealthy air a reminder that air and water don’t follow political boundaries

By: angiehongmn July 13, 2015

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanair quality, fishing, impaired waters, lakes, mercuryLeave a Comment

It turns out that atmospheric deposition (mercury in the air that falls down onto the land and water) supplies more than 99.5% of the mercury getting into fish.

How’s the Water Minnesota? (Part 2 – Rivers and Streams)

By: angiehongmn December 22, 2014

Keeping water cleanBrown's Creek Watershed District, impaired waters, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Mississippi River, streams, water pollutionLeave a Comment

In the Twin Cities metro area, development has impacted most of the rivers and streams and only 37% are meeting water quality standards for aquatic life.