What are Impaired Waters?
An impaired water body is any water body that is not meeting the water quality standards that have been established for that water. These water bodies are either partially supporting or not supporting designated beneficial uses such as fishing or swimming.
How are Impaired Waters Determined?
- Review Water Quality Standards
- Evaluate Monitoring Data
- Identify waters for Impaired Waters List 303(d)
The Clean Water Act requires states to publish an updated list of streams and lakes that are not meeting their designated uses because of excess pollutants every two years. The list, known as the 303(d) list, is based on violations of water quality.
Top 5 Impairments in Minnesota
- Mercury in Fish (1,237)
- Excess Nutrients (153)
- Turbidity (118)
- Poor Aquatic Life Community (103)
- Fecal Coliform (89)
- All impaired Reaches in the BEB
- FC impaired reaches in the BEB
Blue Earth River Basin Fecal Coliform TMDL | mrbdc home
Minnesota River Basin Data Center | Minnesota State University, Mankato
184 Trafton Science Center S, Mankato, MN 56001 | Phone: (507)389-5492 | FAX: (507)389-5493
Minnesota River Basin Data Center | Minnesota State University, Mankato
184 Trafton Science Center S, Mankato, MN 56001 | Phone: (507)389-5492 | FAX: (507)389-5493