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Working with partners to restore and protect Minnesota's waters






"November 2025"

New report shows long-term water quality trends

Flowing Forward report cover

The new MPCA report "Flowing Forward "highlights how Minnesota’s waters continue to change and what those changes mean for our environment and communities. The MPCA’s long-term monitoring shows that fish and insect populations in rivers and streams continue to improve in most regions, a sign of healthier ecosystems. Phosphorus levels in major rivers have begun to stabilize or decline, and nitrate concentrations are increasing more slowly than in the past. Decades of volunteer-collected data show that water clarity in many lakes and streams continues to improve. At the same time, new and persistent challenges such as climate impacts, land use, and pollutants like PFAS require ongoing vigilance. Supported by the Clean Water Fund, this work ensures Minnesotans have clean water for drinking, fishing, swimming, and recreation.



*Report* [ [link removed] ]


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Richard Johnson
Johnson’s Rolling Acres

Farming practices protect water and preserve a family legacy

Johnson’s Rolling Acres sits amid the rolling hills of Fillmore County in southeast Minnesota, standing as more than a business — it’s a legacy. Richard Johnson and his family manage the multi-generational farm.

“My parents moved to the farm next door here in, I’m going to say, 1965 with myself and 12 siblings,” Johnson said. “We milked 35 cows.”

Today, the team milks more than 1,200 cows each day and manages more than 3,000 acres of cropland. The family has also invested in new technology and conservation practices.

*Story and video* [ [link removed] ]


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Redeye River Watershed
New report highlights stable water quality of Redeye River Watershed

The MPCA’s draft report on the Redeye River Watershed in central Minnesota finds that conditions have remained largely stable over the past 10 years, though some areas show emerging risks from nutrient levels and "E. coli."

The Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy 2025 (WRAPS) provides updates from data last reported in 2016. All resampled lakes have water quality that supports aquatic recreation. However, East Leaf Lake shows too many nutrients in the water, indicating a need for proactive strategies to protect water quality.

Most streams in the 575,000-acre watershed show good conditions for aquatic life. Three streams previously included on a list of impaired waters have been “delisted.” That means they’ve improved water quality. Eight stream reaches still struggle with "E. coli" impairments, but two show clear signs of improvement.

This updated report includes new data on climate trends, flow changes, and land-use impacts. It also outlines practical strategies to protect healthy waters and restore those at risk. These include practices such as septic system compliance, lakeshore buffers, and stormwater management, as well as watershed-wide practices, such as cropland nutrient reductions, increasing forested acreage and conservation easements.

Key findings and recommendations will guide local planning and implementation. A public comment period is open until Dec. 17, and stakeholders are encouraged to review the report and submit feedback.

*Public comments* [ [link removed] ]


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Willow Creek before and after

Willow Creek before (left) and after

Reducing sediment in central Minnesota

Before the MPCA provided stressor identification data, Willow Creek in central Minnesota’s Pine River Watershed experienced heavy bank erosion. Using that data, the Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District implemented a bank stabilization project with live willow staking, which significantly reduced sediment supply and improved fish passage.

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Zebra mussel larvae confirmed in Phalen chain of lakes in Ramsey County

Zebra mussels a threat to Minnesota waters

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed the presence of zebra mussel larvae in Lake Gervais and Spoon Lake, part of the Phalen chain of lakes between Little Canada and Maplewood in Ramsey County.

This and other recent news releases from the agency detail the spread of invasive species in Minnesota's lakes and streams. They include findings in Hubbard County, Otter Tail County, Becker County, and more. Keep up to date, and read tips to stop the spread of invasive species, on the DNR's website.



*News releases* [ [link removed] ]


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City of Austin fined for wastewater violations

The city of Austin paid $14,156 for exceeding wastewater permit limits 16 times over an eight-month period in 2024, according to a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency investigation. The city of Austin’s wastewater treatment plant discharged ammonia and fecal coliform over permitted limits into the Cedar River.

*News release* [ [link removed] ]


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MPCA completes 68 enforcement cases in first half of 2025

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency completed 68 enforcement cases for water quality, air quality, hazardous waste, stormwater, and wastewater violations in the first half of 2025. Environmental enforcement investigations often take several months, in some cases more than a year, to complete the investigation and issue final enforcement documents and fines to regulated parties.

*News release* [ [link removed] ]






In the news

Aquatic ecosystems improving locally, statewide

There are many organizations statewide implementing measures and regulations to protect the watersheds that are the arteries of our communities — but are these efforts making a difference? According to a report published in September by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, in the Cannon River Watershed and areas spanning across the state, the short answer is yes. — Faribault Daily News [ [link removed] ]

Erosion-control projects in Grant County installed

The Grant County Soil and Water Conservation District coordinated an effort to install 19 water and sediment control basins to keep topsoil out of Pomme de Terre River and Perkins Lake. — Ingstad Media [ [link removed] ]

Seven Mile Creek restoration brings joy to property owners

A decades-old dam on Seven Mile Creek near Mankato has been removed, restoring the waterway to its natural flow and improving habitat for aquatic life. The $490,000 project, completed in June, replaced the 1960s-era dam with fish-friendly rock arch rapids. Led by local and state conservation agencies, the effort aims to reduce erosion and flooding while helping native species thrive. — The Free Press (Mankato) [ [link removed] ]

Massive wild rice seeding boosts St. Louis River estuary

On a cool September day, groups of volunteers from the St. Louis River Alliance, along with partnering agencies, Tribal nations, and organizations, paddled into multiple areas near the port of Duluth. Their goal: to distribute 4,200 pounds of wild rice seeds across 275 acres of the St. Louis River estuary. — Quetico Superior Wilderness News [ [link removed] ]

Wild rice

Rapidan Dam failure still harms the Blue Earth River while most other Minnesota waters improve

Minnesota’s rivers and lakes are slowly getting healthier, according to the latest water quality report by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, but the pollution still threatens many of the state’s waterways. The Blue Earth River is one that is hurting and in need of intensive care. “We’re still seeing the effects of the partial breach of the Rapidan Dam on our water quality in the Blue Earth River today,” said Eileen Campbell, who works for the MPCA. “So all of this sediment that you see here, it's not generally here.” — MPR News [ [link removed] ]






Sweeping leaves in street
Don't let leaves litter lakes

In a natural setting, leaves decompose on the ground where they fall and help restock the soil with nutrients and organic matter. The small amounts of leaves that naturally drop into lakes from surrounding trees don't have much of an effect.

But when leaves fall on streets, sidewalks, and other hardscapes in urban areas, they wash into municipal stormwater systems and end up in lakes and rivers, where the leaves' nutrients feed algae growth.

*Feature story* [ [link removed] ]






The MPCA Waterfront Bulletin newsletter welcomes news from partners about
watershed projects, people, and upcoming events throughout Minnesota.

Email submissions to: [email protected].






The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is a state agency committed to ensuring that every Minnesotan has healthy air, sustainable lands, clean water, and a better climate.








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