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Click
here for the Workplan
The High Island Watershed
Assessment Project is a project to study water quality and quantity
in the High Island Watershed. During a two-year span project staff will
collect and analyze water samples at ten monitoring sites throughout the
High Island watershed. Water samples collected at these sites will have
numerous parameters tested, including, Nitrates, Phosphorus, Fecal Coliform
Bacteria, and Total Suspended Solids. During the project flow data will
be collected at five of the ten monitoring sites (designated as primary
sites) in the watershed. Water quality and quantity will be combined to
determine the weekly, monthly and/or yearly loading at these five primary
sites.
2001 Water Quality Sampling
Results
Biological Oxygen Demand
Fecal Coliform
Nitrates
Ortho-Phosphate
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
Total Phosphorus
Total Suspended Solids
Transparency Tube
Combine Results
Why is the project taking
place?
The project is taking place out of concern many citizens and organizations
have for the water quality in the High Island Watershed, which drains
into the Minnesota River. The overall purpose of the diagnostic study
is to obtain water quality data that will be used to implement land use
changes to improve water quality. Quantity and quality data will be used
for future management of water quality/quantity issues. The collected
data will be used to determine priority areas to implement best management
practices that will reduce sediment and nutrient loading to High Island
Creek and its tributary Buffalo Creek. The data will also be used to create
a plan that will work toward reduction of fecal coliform bacteria that
is released into the streams. Click here to view
a basemap of the project.
Where is the
project taking place?
The High Island Watershed (33) is a rural watershed that drains 153,219
acres in Sibley, McLeod and Renville counties. Buffalo Creek is a sub-watershed
of the High Island Creek watershed and drains 18,004 acres. The High Island
Watershed is a minor watershed of the Lower Minnesota River watershed.
The High Island
Watershed is mostly level or slightly rolling agricultural land of high
productivity. Nearly 85% of the land is used for agricultural purposes.
A small portion of the watershed in located in the Minnesota River Valley
in the east portion of the watershed.
Flow in the High
Island Watershed flows from west to east. The watershed begins in Renville
county to the west and flows eastward through McLeod County in the mid
reaches and Sibley County in the east. Sibley, McLeod, and Renville counties
contain respectively 65%, 25%, and 10% of the watershed area.
When is the
project taking place?
The High Island Assessment Project began May 1st of 2000 and will run
through April of 2002. Water samples will be collected from April through
September during 2000 and 2001. Many other activities will also take place
during the study. Click here for information on other project activities.
Who is involved
with the project?
The sponsor and fiscal agent for the High Island Assessment project is
Sibley County. The project co-sponsor is the High Island Watershed District.
Contributing sponsors include a variety of local, state, and federal organizations
that are involved with the High Island Assessment Project. Click
here for a list of the contributing sponsors.
For more information
about the High Island Watershed:
Scott Matteson
High Island Assessment Project
PO Box 161, 111 6th Street, Gaylord, MN 55334
Phone: 507-237-5435 ext. 103, Fax: 507-237-5249
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