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November 2025
New report shows long-term water quality trends
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.
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 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.
 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.
 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.
Zebra mussel larvae confirmed in Phalen chain of lakes in Ramsey County
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.
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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.
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.
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