The LMRWMO prioritizes waterbodies (lakes and streams) within the WMO to monitor in order to track long term trends in water quality. This helps to know how lakes are improving or declining over time and where we should allocate resources and implement projects to improve water quality.

Water Resources are deemed impaired if they do not meet one or more water quality standards. More information on impaired waters can be found on the MN Pollution Control Agency’s website.

Consuming Fish from the Mississippi River

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) sets standards for safe fish consumption. In 2023 the MDH updated their recommendations for consuming fish in the Mississippi River due to elevated levels of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, in the fish tissue. Visit the below site for more information on limiting your fish consumption from the Mississippi River.