What is RRAP?
RRAP stands for the Rush River Assessment Project. It is a three year water quality study of the mainstem of Rush River, and the North, Middle and South branches of the Rush River. Water quality testing will be done to determine if excess sediment and nutrients are entering the Rush River, and if so, what areas of the watershed are the largest contributors. Five sites will be monitored for flow and water quality during the three year study. Another three sites will be monitored for water quality, but not flow. Water quality and flow information will be collected from April 1st through September 30th, for 2003, 2004 and 2005.

The project originated due to citizen concern about water quality in the Rush River Watershed and the broader Minnesota River Basin. The overall purpose of the study is to obtain water quality data that will be used to implement land use changes to improve water quality.

The project is taking place for three primary purposes: 1) to determine the sources and amount of nutrients, sediment and fecal coliform bacteria in Rush River 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.

The water quality issues and concerns of Rush River Watershed grew from past surface water monitoring in the watershed and the Minnesota River Basin. The Minnesota River Basin is a major source of pollution to the Mississippi River, which was determined by the Minnesota River Assessment Project (MRAP, 1994). Results from the Agricultural Drainage and Pesticide Transport model by the University of Minnesota (Dr. David Mulla) show that the Lower Minnesota watershed contributes a large percentage of the sediment and nutrients that enter into the Mississippi River. This has put pressure on the rural watersheds of the Lower Minnesota to improve surface water quality. Water quality monitoring is needed to determine the specific areas and sources that are contributing nutrient and sediment to the Rush River. Findings from the study will be used to develop an implementation plan to improve water quality in the Rush River.

What tests are done on the water samples?
Water samples from throughout the watershed are analyzed to determine the amount of nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen. Water will be sampled to find the amount of sediment and organic material (plant material) in the river. Fecal coliform bacteria, which is found in the intestines of all warm blooded animals will be tested. This will help determine pollution from leaky septic systems, runoff from manure spread fields, etc.

What about flows?
RRAP hired a consulting firm to conduct a detailed flow study on the Rush River and its tributaries (see Hydrology Study Overview). The flow study would be done to determine where water could be stored in the watershed to reduce peaks flows. The Rush River is notorious for the damage is can do during high flows. The flow study will be used to assess what can be done to reduce these peak flows and what areas of the watershed would be best for water storage/retention.

Is any kind of biological monitoring (fish surveys) being done?
Small critters that live on rocks, twigs, etc are called macroinvertebrates. Some macroinvertebrates live in clean water; some live in dirty water. By collecting and identifying macroinvertebrates in a stream you can determine how healthy the stream is. Six students from Minnesota State University, Mankato spent the summer of 2003 collecting these critters from throughout the watershed. This information, along with fish surveys, will help assess the biological “health” of the Rush River (see Macroinvertebrate Study)..

What about drinking water?
Results of well water testing offered by the High Island Assessment Project and Sibley County in 2001 found many wells to have drinking water that was contaminated with high nitrates, bacteria, or arsenic. This has led to concern among many citizens about the quality of their drinking water. RRAP offered FREE well water testing in spring 2003 to test for arsenic, nitrate and bacterial contamination (see Well Water Testing).

How will I hear the results of this project?
News will be spread through a series of newsletters that will be published during the project. A newsletter will be sent to you the winter and summer, each year of the project (see Publications) . Information meeting will be held to discuss results of stream monitoring at the end of each year. Information will also be made available through this website, open houses, workshops and news releases.

How can I be involved?
RRAP is seeking citizen volunteers to help monitor water quality in the watershed. This would involve measuring the clarity of streams and ditches and keeping track of precipitation. Learn more about the Volunteer Citizen Monitoring Network.

What happens at the end of the project?
At the end of the three year project, a plan will be developed to address the water quality and flow issues in the watershed. At that time, RRAP will apply for funding for implementation activities to reduce pollution in the Rush River.

What is the funding source?
The Rush River Assessment Project was awarded funding from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency through the Clean Water Partnership grant program. RRAP was awarded nearly $327,000 to conduct a three year water quality and flow study of the Rush River Watershed. Sibley County will serve has the project sponsor. The RRAP coordinator is employed out of the Sibley Soil and Water Conservation District. The contributing sponsors to the project are listed below.

Project Sponsors
Project Sponsor – Sibley County
Contributing Sponsors
Sibley County Water Planning
Nicollet County Water Planning
Sigley County SWCD
Nicollet County SWCD
Sibley County NRCS
Nicollet County NRCS
McLeod County NRCS
Sibley County Environmental Services
Nicollet County Environmental Services
McLeod County Environmental Services
Sibley County Extension Service
Nicollet County Extension Service
Sibley County Public Health
City of Gaylord
City of Winthrop
City of Gibbon
City of Lafayette
Gaylord Game Protective League
Metropolitan Council
Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance
Friends of the Minnesota Valley
Three Rivers RC&D
Rivers Council of Minnesota
BNC Environmental Health
Minnesota Valley Testing Laboratory
Sibley East High School
University of Minnesota
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources
United States Geological Survey
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
DNR – Hydrology
DNR – Fisheries
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Volunteers

For more information about the Rush River Assessment Project,
contact Project Coordinator:
Brooke Patterson
111 8th Street
Gaylord, Minnesota 55334
Phone 507-237-7409
Fax 507-237-4099