Minnesota River Assessment Project Report: Volume I, Workplan and Project Summary

The first volume of the Minnesota River Assessment Report (MRAP) contains the workplan an project summary. The workplan states that federal, state and local government units will assess the mainstem, major tributary, and ground water nonpoint source inputs to the Minnesota River for the purpose of the developing future water quality management programs. Physical/chemical Assessment, biological/toxicological assessment, land use evaluation and data management/modeling will be included in MRAP. The project summary allows some general conclusions that were drawn from the assessments laid out in the workplan. It was determined that most of the nonpoint source pollution occurs during events, biological communities at many of the sites were less diverse than expected, and the Minnesota River is one of Minnesota's most polluted rivers. Volume I concludes with an overview of what is found in the volumes to follow.