Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

What do bugs have to do with it?

By: angiehongmn January 29, 2021January 29, 2021

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanaquatic macroinvertebrates, Brown's Creek, dragonflies, featured, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, odonata, streams, trout, volunteer stream monitoringLeave a Comment

One of the best measures of stream health is the amount and biodiversity of macroinvertebrates we can find in the water.

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 AssociationLeave a 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…

Salt levels are rising in Minnesota waters and it’s not just winter to blame

By: angiehongmn May 28, 2019May 28, 2019

Keeping water cleanchloride pollution, featured, Minnesota lakes, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, salt, streams2 Comments

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency would like you to think about salt, and not just because we saw snow on May 19. As chloride concentrations continue to rise in lakes, rivers, and groundwater around Minnesota, the agency is working with partners to develop a Statewide Chloride Management Plan that will help to keep our freshwater…

GreenCorps members prescribe a low-salt diet for Minnesota waters

By: angiehongmn January 14, 2019

Keeping water cleanchloride pollution, clean water, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, MPCA, saltLeave a Comment

Water softeners are a surprising part of the problem In 1961, the newly elected President John F. Kennedy launched a program to help mitigate poverty around the world and spread American ideas and goodwill. The Peace Corps program immediately captured the attention of young people around the country, and thousands of applications poured in for…

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.

In Search of Hardwood Creek

By: angiehongmn November 10, 2014

Keeping water clean, Outdoor Adventures, Partners and UpdatesHardwood Creek, hugo, impaired waters, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, rice creek watershed district, streamsLeave a Comment

Unique plants and animals that have long since disappeared from our area due to farming and development still find home in the groundwater fed wetlands surrounding the creek.

Stopping the Nitrogen Super-Highway

By: angiehongmn June 19, 2014

Keeping water cleanMinnesota Pollution Control Agency, Mississippi River, nitrogen, Nitrogen Study, WaterShed PartnersLeave a Comment

The amount of nitrogen flowing downstream in the Mississippi River has doubled since 1976 and nitrogen levels are increasing in about half of the other rivers and streams in Minnesota as well.

Pharmaceuticals in Minnesota Lakes

By: angiehongmn April 23, 2014

Keeping water cleanMinnesota Pollution Control Agency, pharmaceuticals, Washington County, water pollutionLeave a Comment

Drug and medicine “Take-Back” events are scheduled for April 26, 10am-2pm, at the County Government Building in Stillwater and June 14, 10am-2pm, at the County South Service Center in Cottage Grove.