impaired waters list

Our comments on Minnesota's 2022 Impaired Waters List

by Trevor Russell

January 10, 2022

On January 7, FMR was one of eight environmental organizations (led by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy) that provided comments to the State of Minnesota on the state's 2022 Impaired Waters List on behalf of the Minnesota Environmental Partnership. We focused on three key pollutants: sulfate (in wild rice waters), "forever chemicals" and nitrate contamination. Here's our letter. >>

Is it safe to swim in the metro Mississippi?

by sue rich

August 9, 2021

Some river stretches, like the sand flats in Minneapolis, are tempting to swim at. But, should you?

The StarTribune and MinnPost dive into this eternal summer question. >>

Nutrients down(ish), salts up in U.S. rivers

by Peter LaFontaine

April 8, 2020

A new report from the U.S. Geological Survey has found some disturbing — but uneven — trends in American rivers over the last generation. >>

More than half of Minnesota’s waters don’t meet water quality standards

by Trevor Russell

November 26, 2019

Every two years, the state publishes a list of “impaired” waters that do not meet water quality standards. This year’s list shows that 56% of Minnesota’s lakes, rivers and streams fail to meet standards. >>