Minnesota's Impaired Waters and TMDLs
Project: Chisago Lakes TMDL — Nutrient/Eutrophication Biological Indicators
The Chisago Lakes Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study is a project that is addressing impaired and unimpaired waters within the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District (LID). The LID is made up of 13 lakes over 100 acres in size, and many streams within Chisago County. The area includes three incorporated cities (Chisago City, Lindstrom, and Center City) and covers portions of five townships (Lent, Wyoming, North Chisago Lake, South Chisago Lake, and Franconia). This region of Chisago County is highly populated and has been experiencing rapid growth during the last few years.
Within the LID, five of the thirteen lakes in the Chisago Lakes Area are on Minnesota’s 303(d) Impaired Waters List as of 2008 (all are new to the list for 2008) and one lake will be added in 2010. Each of the lakes is impaired for “Aquatic Recreation: Nutrient/Eutrophication Biological Indicators”. This impairment limits the recreational enjoyment on the water bodies due to poor water quality levels such as: low Secchi disk (transparency) readings, algal blooms, and excess nutrients (phosphorus). These qualities can greatly reduce recreation activities including swimming, fishing, and boating. Poor water quality can also have a negative economic effect on local businesses and property values in the area.
Developing this TMDL will be the first step towards restoring and protecting the lakes within the Chisago Lakes Area. Once the TMDL is complete and approved by the MPCA and the U.S. EPA, development of a restoration plan will take place. The restoration plan will be the guide to cleaning up the impaired lakes and protecting the unimpaired ones.
The local sponsor of this project is the Chisago Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), who is partnering with the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District to complete this project.
Map and location
The LID is made up of 13 lakes over 100 acres, and many streams within Chisago County. The area includes three incorporated cities (Chisago City, Lindstrom, and Center City) and covers portions of five townships (Lent, Wyoming, North Chisago Lake, South Chisago Lake, and Franconia). This region of Chisago County is highly populated and has been experiencing rapid growth.
More maps are available on the TMDL maps page.
TMDL report and implementation plan
- Final TMDL Report
- EPA Approval Letter (February 20, 2013)
- Restoration and Protection Plan (February 25, 2013)
Meetings and events
When available, all meeting information, including agendas, minutes, presentations and electronic handouts will be in a PDF document. This document is bookmarked for ease in searching for specific meeting details.
See the TMDL Meetings, Events and News page for notices of general interest and event-related information on impaired waters/TMDLs.
- Chisago SWCD
- Chisago Lakes LID
- City of Lindstrom
- City of Center City
- City of Chisago City
- Chisago County
- Chisago County Environmental Services
TMDL Project Manager
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
520 Lafayette Road