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This Extension Service publication discusses the higher levels of sediment load found in the Minnesota River when compared to the St. Croix and Mississippi, identifying the differences among the rivers (e.g., vegetation, agricultural activity, and soil texture) that contribute to this disparity. Recommendations are provided for tillage and manure practices that may reduce sediment runoff.

This booklet discusses phophorus pollution of the Minnesota River. Designed for use by the general public, it provides basic information on current phosphorus levels, point and nonpoint pollution sources, and various ongoing efforts to respond to the problem.

This component of the Minnesota River Assessment Project was designed to assess nonpoint pollution sources of sediment and nutrients in ten agricultural watersheds within the Blue Earth, Watonwan, and Le Sueur river subbasins. The report includes a discussion of water quality, modeling methods used in the study, pollutant comparisons among watersheds, study findings, recommendations for conservation tillage and nutrient management practices, and future study needs. Detailed analyses of each watershed are appended.

This report presents the results of biological monitoring conducted at seven sites on small streams in the Minnesota River Basin during 1994, 1995, and 1996 as part of the Minnesota River Improvement Project, whose goals are to improve water quality and biota through best management practices. Monitoring included assessment of riparian and instream habitat, physical and chemical measurements, and macroinvertebrate sampling. Results reported include habitat-quality assessments and macroinvertebrate analyses, but there is not a great deal of detail provided.