The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), with support from local governmental units, collected water samples from lakes and streams in the Rum River Watershed in 2013 and 2014.  According recently-released results, 28 lakes and numerous stream reaches (including Mille Lacs Lake and the Rum River) have good water quality and meet state standards.  However, some lakes and streams that were sampled do not meet state standards. 

 

Lakes that exceed state standards for nutrients include: Rogers (Anoka County); Skogman, Fannie, Little Stanchfield, Long, Francis, Tennyson, Baxter, Green, North and South Stanchfield (Isanti County); Twelve (Morrison County); West Hunter and East Hunter (Sherburne County). The nutrient of concern, phosphorus, causes excessive algae blooms.

 

Streams showing high levels of E. coli bacteria include: West Branch of the Rum River, Cedar Creek (near Andover), Seelye Brook, Bogus Brook and Estes Brook. This bacteria is an indicator of organisms that may pose a risk to contact with the water.

 

Some streams do not have enough oxygen to support fish and other aquatic life and/or have too much suspended sediment.  These streams include Trott Brook, Borden Creek, Cedar Creek (Little River), Malone Creek (Thains Creek) and Crooked Brook.

 

Some streams are failing to support healthy populations of fish and/or macroinvertebrates, and further study is occurring to determine the reason.  These streams include Estes Brook, Isanti Brook, Mahoney Brook, Stanchfield Creek, Tibbetts Brook, Trott Brook, Vondell Brook, the West Branch of the Rum River, Unnamed Creek (headwaters to the W. Branch of the Rum R. in Morrison County), and Washburn Brook.

 

Studies, called Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), are underway for each impaired water to determine the amount of pollutant reduction needed to meet state water quality standards.  

 

Other streams and lakes that were monitored are in good condition.  For these, including the main stem of the Rum River, the focus of management will be to maintain these good conditions.  Several, such as Lake George and Cedar Creek in Anoka County are considered especially important for protection because of declining water quality trends and/or forecasted land use changes.

 

A public meeting will be held to discuss these results at the Isanti County Government Center, on Thursday, October 1, 2015, at 7:00 p.m.  Attendees will hear more detail and will be asked to share their personal knowledge about these lakes and streams, which may help inform and shape future management.  MPCA and local government representatives will be present.

 

The restoration and protection plans for area lakes and streams, once finalized in early summer 2016, will be used by counties, soil and water conservation districts, lake groups and others.  Having these management plans will also help locals compete for state grants.

 

For more information about the watershed study and how you can get involved, please visit the website at http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/water/water-types-and-programs/wate... or contact Tiffany Determan, Sherburne SWCD, 763-241-1170 Tiffany.Determan@mn.nacdnet.net.