The Minnesota River cuts across the southern portion of the state on its way from the South Dakota border to its outlet into the Mississippi River at Fort Snelling. Water quality had been a concern for many years before Gov. Arne Carlson called for the river to be swimmable and fishable within 10 years on Sept. 22, 1992.
Today’s column focuses on the recommendations spelled out by the Minnesota River Citizens’ Advisory Committee, along with a few facts on the Minnesota River Basin and some of the water quality issues affecting the river. Learn why wetlands are important, the upcoming Minnesota River Banquet, the formation of the Minnesota River Board and traveling the Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway.
Water: Working Together — A plan to restore the Minnesota River
At the beginning of 1990s, a group of 30 people from across the Minnesota River Watershed came together to develop a plan for restoring the state’s namesake river.
Formed under the guidance of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, this group represented both a geographical and cultural diversity including farmers, county commissioners, conservationists, businesses and government agencies. Over a two and a half year period, this Minnesota River Citizens’ Advisory Committee met more than 30 times to hear presentations from water quality experts and discuss the river’s problems in detail.
As a result they came up with 10 broad recommendations to help restore the Minnesota River for future generations: Restore floodplains and riparian areas; restore wetlands; manage drainage ditches and storm sewers as tributaries; improve land management practices; monitor water quality throughout the Minnesota River basin; establish a “Minnesota River Commission” to oversee the cleanup effort; establish local joint powers agreements; improve technical assistance to local governments; engage the general public; and enforce existing laws.
The entire document can be seen at ftp://mrbdc.mnsu.edu/pub/basin/reports/citzprog94.pdf .
Did you know: Minnesota River Basin facts
• The Minnesota River is 335 miles long from its source at Big Stone Lake on the South Dakota border to the Mississippi River.
• This river drains approximately 20 percent of Minnesota’s landmass.
• 16,700 square mile basin including land in eastern South Dakota and northern Iowa.
• The Minnesota River falls 274 feet from Big Stone Lake (964 feet above sea level) to the confluence with the Mississippi River (690 feet). It drops approximately 0.8 feet per mile.
• Divided into 12 hydrologic major watersheds and 13 management watersheds.
• Largest major watershed in the Upper Minnesota at 1,341,917 acres.
• Approximately 700,000 people live in the Minnesota River Basin.
Water science: Water quality issues of the Minnesota River
Over the last two decades there has been a lot of effort by government agencies, nonprofit organizations and citizens to address water quality issues of the Minnesota River. As far back as 1907, scientific studies pointed out some of these issues including one by the U.S. Geological Survey. By 1934 the Minnesota Health Department reported the river was being used for bathing at a great many places but it was unfit for human contact.
Today, some of the water quality issues include excessive levels of sediment, nutrients and bacteria, along with mercury and other pollutants like pesticides. A summary of water quality monitoring in the Minnesota River Basin can be found in the pamphlet: “State of the Minnesota River Summary: 2000-2005.”
For more information, log on to http://mrbdc.mnsu.edu/mnbasin/state/stateofriver_2005.html.
What can you do: Personal decisions to help the Minnesota River
The idea of restoring and improving the entire Minnesota River can feel daunting, especially on a personal level. This shouldn’t stop you from trying. Here are five fairly easy ways one person can make a difference in the river’s water quality.
• Mulch or compost your grass clippings/leaves. Keep your grass clippings off hard surfaces and from ending up in our waters.
• Use zero phosphorus fertilizer. A new state law restricts the use of fertilizers containing phosphorus on all lawns in Minnesota. Excessive phosphorus can dramatically increase algae growth in lakes. One pound of phosphorus from runoff can result in 500 pounds of algae growth.
• Reduce storm water runoff from your property. Excess water that washes grass clippings, leaves, fertilizer and other pollutants from lawns, sidewalks or driveways can be reduced or eliminated.
• Use native plants and remove invasive non-native plants. By growing plants like little bluestem, blazing star or dogwood a person will not have to water excessively or use fertilizers and pesticides.
• Properly dispose of household hazardous waste. Do not pour gasoline or oil onto the street or wash paint brushes at the end of your driveway. Other wastes include paint, pesticides, etc. — it all ends up in our water. Dispose each item at your county hazardous waste collection or used-oil drop-off sites.
The natural resource: Wetlands
For the most part, wetlands get a bad rap from many people who only see them as nothing more than a swamp or smelly body of water collecting trash and producing mosquitoes. Wetlands or sloughs or marshes are more than that. They are home to frogs, ducks, fish and beaver, and provide food and water for white-tail deer, bald eagles and many other animals.
Wetlands also have amazing benefits when it comes to the landscape and improving water quality. Plants in wetlands absorb excessive nutrients and chemicals flowing off the land which keeps those products out of our rivers and lakes. During periods of floods, wetlands can help store spring run-off or high summer rains along with allowing suspended solids to settle out. Ultimately, wetlands play a key role in a well functioning ecosystem.
For more information, log on to www.dnr.state.mn.us/wetlands/index.html..
Community event: Minnesota River Banquet
Come out on March 21 to New Ulm to celebrate the Minnesota River and help keep yourself informed and aware. The Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River is holding its annual banquet at the Rheine River Arts Center (108 North Minnesota Street) with doors opening at 6 p.m. and a buffet dinner at 7 p.m. Shannon Fisher, executive director of the Minnesota River Board, will be speaking about “The Realities and Myths of Water Quality Trading.”
New this year is “Minnesota River Jeopardy” starring Scott Sparlin as Alex Trebeck. Questions on the Minnesota River have come from people all over the basin as well as the Water Resources Center at Minnesota State University, Mankato. For more information call (507) 359-2346 or e-mail yasure@lycos.com.
For other events in the Minnesota River Watershed, log on to http://mrbdc.mnsu.edu/calendar/index.html.
Organization profile: Minnesota River Board
One of the recommendations put forth by the Minnesota River Citizens’ Advisory Committee was the establishment of a Minnesota River Commission.
They felt a new institutional structure was needed to ensure government accountability and citizen participation in order to meet the Minnesota River cleanup goals. Out of that came the formation of the Minnesota River Joint Powers Board in March of 1995. The mission of this board is to provide leadership, build partnerships and support efforts to improve and protect water quality in the Minnesota River Basin. As a joint powers board, it is compromised of one commissioner from each county.
For more information, log on to http://mrbdc.mnsu.edu/org/mrbd/index.html.
Recreational opportunity: Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway
As the days get longer and temperatures go higher, people are starting to think about spring and a dramatic change to the landscape. One of the best ways to see this transformation up close is by traveling the Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway.
Starting in Belle Plaine, the Byway takes you all the way out to Browns Valley above Big Stone Lake. Along the way look for recreation areas, locally owned businesses and a chance to see why this valley has been important to people for thousands of years.
For more information, log on to www.mnrivervalley.com.
