Introduction
In 1999 a Clean Water Legacy application was submitted to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) by Sibley County and a diverse selection of partners to conduct a diagnostic study of High Island Creek Watershed. According to monitoring by the MPCA, High Island Creek ranked the highest for fecal coliform bacteria levels of all tributaries in the Minnesota River Watershed.

High Island Creek Watershed suffered from both water quality and water quantity issues. Excessive levels of fecal coliform bacteria, nutrients, and total suspended solids were having a negative impact on the health of humans and wildlife. Local citizens and government agencies were also concerned about water quantity due to excessive drainage of the watershed uplands.

The project took place for three primary purposes: 1) to determine the sources and amount of phosphorus, nitrate-nitrogen, sediment and fecal coliform bacteria in High Island Creek and its tributaries; 2) to determine what actions can be taken to reduce peak flow; and 3) to determine how to reduce these levels in order to achieve designated uses and water quality standards. A diverse collection of partners provided both in-kind services and financial support.

According to the High Island Creek Watershed Diagnostic Study Executive Summary water quality concerns are fecal coliform bacteria, total phosphorus, total suspended solids and nitrate+nitrite-nitrogen.

For the full report: High Island Creek Watershed Diagnostic Study.

Implementation Project
After studying the water quality concerns, the High Island Creek Watershed Project moved into an implementation phase in June of 2004. Targeting priority areas to reduce excessive sediment and nutrient levels in the watershed is just one on-going aspect of the project. By improving water quality in High Island Creek will in turn have a positive effect on the Minnesota River, Lake Pepin and all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. We will see it in better water clarity on our lakes and streams, a more diverse habitat for wildlife and improving the safety of our drinking water.

Best Management Practices (BMPs) are being put on the ground to improve water quality in High Island Creek Watershed through the help of agencies ranging from the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Natural Resource Conservation Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and local conservation groups. BMPs include residue, nutrient and manure management, along with structural, tillage and vegetative practices. There are also low-interest loans available to upgrade out of compliance septic systems.

To help promote the variety of cost-share and incentive practices available to watershed residents, a selection of educational and informational opportunities are being offered through workshops, tours demonstrations, newsletters, brochures, surveys and displays. To help access changes in water quality / quantity, monitoring continues at three sites with the data helping to track the benefits of increased implementation activities.

Residents of High Island Watershed are fortunate to have a wide range of agencies, organizations and others available to help them with water quality concerns and put conservation practices on the land. For more information: contact list.

Fecal Coliform Bacteria TMDL
A Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) on Fecal Coliform Bacteria has been completed for High Island Creek Watershed. A TMDL represents the maximum amount of pollutant a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards and/or designated uses. The TMDL process establishes the allowable loading of pollutants for a waterbody based on the relationship between pollution sources and in-stream water quality conditions.

Fecal Coliform Bacteria is a significant water quality concern in High Island Creek Watershed, with five stream reaches listed on the U.S. EPA 303 (d) impaired waters list. Since monitoring began in the late-1990's, the watershed has ranked as one of the highest Minnesota River Basin tributaries for fecal coliform bacteria levels. Monitoring data and DNA fingerprinting by the University of Minnesota (Sadowsky, 2001) suggest that applied manure and noncompliant feedlots are the major sources of fecal coliform bacteria contamination.

The Water Resources Center at Minnesota State University, Mankato has finished the TMDL report, which also includes the Rush River Watershed. This report will be used by agencies, organizations and individuals to put together an implementation report to reduce fecal coliform bacteria rates throughout the High Island Creek Watershed.

For more information on the High Island Creek Clean Water Partnership,
Joel Wurscher, Coordinator:
Sibley County, 111 8th Street
Gaylord, Minnesota 55334
Phone 507-237-4050
Fax 507-237-4099
Email joelw@co.sibley.mn.us