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<br />Minnesota <br />Pollution <br />Control <br />Agency <br />14a <br />Elk River Total Maximum Daily Load <br />(TMDL) Project <br />Elk River TMDL wq-iw8-14a February 2009 <br />Impaired waters are those that do not <br />meet state water quality standards as set <br />forth in Minnesota Statute Chapter <br />7050. Common impairments are for <br />dissolved oxygen, nutrients, turbidity, <br />bacteria, or metals. Impaired water bodies <br />fail to meet criteria required to support <br />aquatic life, or allow the designated use of <br />a water body, such as swimming or fishing. <br />The Federal Clean Water Act requires the <br />Minnesota Pollution Control Agency <br />(MPCA) to identify impaired water bodies <br />and develop a total maximum daily load <br />(TMDL) for each parameter for which the <br />water body does not meet standards. The <br />TMDL is the total amount of a pollutant a <br />water body can take on while meeting the <br />established water quality standard(s). <br />Elk River TMDL Progress <br />In August 2008, the Elk River Watershed <br />Association (ERWSA) entered into a <br />contract with the MPCA to conduct TMDL <br />studies on Mayhew Lake (impaired for <br />nutrients), Big Elk Lake (impaired for <br />nutrients) and the Elk River from Big Elk <br />Lake to the St. Francis River (impaired for <br />turbidity and E. coli). <br />One of the first steps in the process was for <br />professionals from the ERWSA, Wenck <br />Inc., and the MPCA to complete a visual <br />survey of the Elk River and its tributaries. <br />This survey, completed in September 2008, <br />A TMDL study is typically developed <br />in four phases: <br />• Phase 1 -existing data is reviewed, <br />data gaps are identified, and plans <br />are developed to collect and <br />analyze the additional data needed <br />• Phase 2 -that additional data is <br />collected and evaluated <br />• Phase 3 -the TMDL is set. Loads <br />are allocated to point and non- <br />point sources and an <br />implementation plan to meet load <br />reductions is prepared <br />• Phase 4 -plans are implemented to <br />reduce loads to the limits set in <br />Phase 3, and to return the water <br />body to meet water quality <br />standards. <br />h~ ~>~ `. <br />e a ~ a <br />a ~P~~• ~, <br />Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 520 Lafayette Rd. N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194 www.pca.state.mn.us <br />651-296-6300 800-657-3864 TTY 651-282-5332 or 800-657-3864 Available in alternative formats <br />Elk River at 73, looking east. <br />