Article

In order to determine realistic recommendations for river cleanup activities, this component of the Minnesota River Assessment Project was designed to assess current condition in the Minnesota River and its tributaries. The three categories of study were: physical (habitat), chemical/toxicological (water, sediment, and toxicological), and biological (fish, macroinverterbrate, and diatom communities).

This report provides the results from a study of the Minnesota River Basin conducted for the purposes of water and land-resource planning. Information is provided on environmental setting (location, climate, geology, land use, water resources, and wildlife), economic development (industry, population, and transportation), land and water-resource problems and needs (such as erosion, floodwater, and pollution), resource-development potential, projects and programs and development alternatives.

This report contains the results of a stream survey, conducted during the summers from 1978 to 1982, to collect baseline data on the fish and wildlife resources of the Minnesota River. It includes a description of the physical characteristics of the river watershed, water quality, water uses, aquatic and terrestrial vegetation, wildlife fisheries, and invertebrates. Study conclusions presented include the exacerbation of stream-bank erosion by agricultural encroachment. Recommendations offered include the implementation and enforcement of appropriate land-use practices.