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The current objectives of the Upper Mississippi River Source Water Protection Project are:
- Time of Travel Study on the
Crow River
*Preparing time of travel estimates for the Mississippi River main stem and the
Sauk, Rum, Elk, and Crow Rivers, and Elm, Rice, and Coon Creeks.
View Time of Travel Report for the
Crow River - courtesy of
USGS
- Inventory Potential
Contaminants of Concern
*Conducting an inventory of potential contaminant sources within the delineated Source Water Protection Areas and developing corresponding management measures and strategies.
*Investigating areas of surface water/ground water interaction to determine the potential for contamination transport.
- Measure Mississippi River
Groundwater Gains/Losses
*The Composite Source Water Protection Area includes areas of shallow groundwater aquifers that serve as public drinking water supplies. Certain of these aquifers may be hydraulically connected to the Mississippi River or tributaries. In these instances, contaminants may be readily transported between surface and ground water. Understanding where such hydraulic connections and the associated potential for cross-contamination exist would enhance source water protection and wellhead protection efforts, particularly in the event of a large contaminant release.In 2006, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a pilot project to test a procedure to measure Mississippi River is losses to and gains from ground water. This procedure required stable, low-flow conditions in the Mississippi River, conditions which existed in late-2006. Fieldwork was conducted and measurements taken in a reach of the Mississippi River extending from Monticello to Anoka.
Even though suitable flow conditions existed on the Mississippi River during the study period, the flow variations in the river exceeded the margin of error inherent in the measurements. These variations are attributable to the fact that the Mississippi River in this area is a large river with many users appropriating, discharging, and storing water.
Alternative methodologies are being considered to identify areas of recharge and discharge on the Mississippi River in the project area.
- Education and Outreach
*Undertaking education and outreach activities to:
-Raise awareness of the source of, and risks to, drinking water.
-Describe source water protection roles for citizens, government decision-
makers, and resource managers.
*Communicate Source Water Protection information for St. Cloud, St. Paul, and Minneapolis to Wellhead Protection Teams within the delineated Source Water Protection Areas in order to prevent management conflicts.
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South Fork of Crow River
Geology/Sedimentation Mapping
*The Crow River contributes disproportionately high levels of total suspended solids (TSS) into the Mississippi River. In terms of TSS loading, the South Fork of the Crow is of particular concern, due to its relatively fine-textured soils and current and anticipated future land uses in its watershed. TSS levels are of concern to water suppliers because elevated TSS levels reflect upstream erosion; many different types of contaminants are associated with the solids that are eroded.The primary goal of this study is to trace suspended sediment found in the South Fork of the Crow River to specific geologic source areas within the watershed. Information is currently lacking as to relative contributions of sedimentation from such sources as agricultural field runoff or erosion from streambanks and bluffs.
The Minnesota Geological Survey and the Science Museum of Minnesota are conducting this study, which includes 1) reviewing maps, photos, and other data to identify sampling locations, 2) creation of a surficial geologic map, 3) collection of surficial soil samples, and 4) radionuclide analysis of soil samples to determine the location of sediment sources.
This study will allow the identification of those areas within the South Fork Crow River watershed that are the sources of relatively high levels of sediment loading to the Crow River. This work will complement water quality and mapping work being conducted elsewhere in the watershed. Study results will provide the basis for developing, targeting, and implementing best management practices for controlling erosion and reducing levels of TSS and associated contaminants in the Crow and Mississippi Rivers.
- Implementation of SWP Plan
*Online: Source Water Protection Plans - Part 1 for St. Cloud, Minneapolis, and
St. Paul
*Developing a formal process for recognition by local, state, and federal governments of the delineated Source Water Protection Areas and for Source Water Protection Plans.
*Identify and accommodate such high priority land use areas as:
-Population growth centers.
-Areas where land use conversion is taking place.
-Environmentally vulnerable areas (nitrates, surface water/ground water
water interaction).
More information Future Actions >>
More information Source Water Protection Plan Status >>
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