The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is seeking comments on a water-quality-improvement report covering 18 sections of the Minnesota River, including eight tributaries.  The public comment period begins February 27 and continues through April 27.

The report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load, focuses on turbid water caused primarily by sediment.  Turbidity is caused by suspended and dissolved matter, such as clay, silt, organic matter, and algae.  High turbidity results in poor water quality for aquatic habitat, recreation, industrial use, and human consumption.

Turbidity-impaired sections include nine on the main stem of the river from Lac Qui Parle Lake to the city of Jordan, and the lower parts of the Chippewa, Redwood, Cottonwood, Blue Earth, Yellow Medicine, Watonwan and Le Sueur rivers as well as Hawk Creek.

Following approval of the study, a plan will be developed to reduce turbidity.  More information is available on the M-P-C-A website at www.pca.state.mn.us.