Mississippi River Watershed Aitkin - Brainerd Area Josh Hoff & Adam Bourassa

Mississippi River

Map of Watershed

Watershed Definition A ridge of high land dividing two areas that are drained by different river systems. Also called water parting A ridge of high land dividing two areas that are drained by different river systems. Also called water parting

General Information Watershed portion studied includes all or parts of Aitkin, Crow Wing & Cass counties Watershed portion studied includes all or parts of Aitkin, Crow Wing & Cass counties Some communities included in the Watershed are: Aitkin, Brainerd, Baxter, Crosby Some communities included in the Watershed are: Aitkin, Brainerd, Baxter, Crosby Pine River is the only major river flowing into Mississippi Pine River is the only major river flowing into Mississippi 3 unnamed streams in the watershed area 3 unnamed streams in the watershed area Mostly forested land around river Mostly forested land around river

General Info. Contd. Class “A” water source Class “A” water source Class A is defined as ORVW-”Outstanding Resource Value Water” Class A is defined as ORVW-”Outstanding Resource Value Water” Mississippi River is impaired due to the low D.O. levels Mississippi River is impaired due to the low D.O. levels - Possibly from decaying organic material. - Possibly from decaying organic material. - Studies to begin spring of 2006 (MPCA)

Aquatic Animals Bluegill Bluegill Blunt nose Minnow Blunt nose Minnow Brook Shiner Brook Shiner Northern Pike Northern Pike Red horse Rock Bass Red horse Rock Bass Smallmouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Trout-Perch Trout-Perch Walleye Walleye Yellow Perch Yellow Perch

Point Sources of Pollution 3 Major areas of Discharge into River -Brainerd Waste Water Facility -Aitkin Waste Water Facility -Wausau Paper Mill 3 Major areas of Discharge into River -Brainerd Waste Water Facility -Aitkin Waste Water Facility -Wausau Paper Mill Septic Tanks Septic Tanks

Brainerd Waste Water Plant

Brainerd Wastewater Lift-Station

Brainerd Paper mill

Septic Systems / Lakeshore Properties

Non-Point Sources of Pollution Surface Water Run Off Surface Water Run Off Careless use of water Careless use of water

Rice Lake Reservoir (users)

Brainerd WWTP Discharge Average Flow (Daily) MGD Average Flow (Daily) MGD Fecal Coliform 22 ml Fecal Coliform 22 ml BOD Average 176 mg/l Influent, 11 mg/l Effluent BOD Average 176 mg/l Influent, 11 mg/l Effluent TSS Average 171 mg/l Influent, 6 mg/l Effluent TSS Average 171 mg/l Influent, 6 mg/l Effluent Phosphorus Influent 6 mg/l, Effluent 3 mg/l Phosphorus Influent 6 mg/l, Effluent 3 mg/l Nitrogen 19 mg/l Effluent Nitrogen 19 mg/l Effluent DO Effluent 2 mg/l DO Effluent 2 mg/l

Aitkin WWTP Discharge Chlorine, Total Residual mg/L Daily Max<0.1 Chlorine, Total Residual mg/L Daily Max<0.1 Dissolved Oxygen 6.56mg/L Dissolved Oxygen 6.56mg/L Total Phosphorus (as P) 1.71mg/L Total Phosphorus (as P) 1.71mg/L Total Suspended Solids (TSS)118 kg/day Total Suspended Solids (TSS)118 kg/day

River Water Quality Data Aitkin, MN Date 8/22/2000 Date 8/22/2000 –Temperature (°C) –Conductivity (mhos/cm) –Field Turbidity (NTU) 4.80 –Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 6.95 –pH 7.82 –Flow (m 3 /sec) –Nitrogen (mg/L) 0.06 –Total Phosphorus (mg/L) –Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) 17 –Ammonia (mg/L)< 0.02

Conclusion Impaired Water Impaired Water Good Water Source Good Water Source Will Remain a great Water Source if taken care of Will Remain a great Water Source if taken care of Minimal points of contamination Minimal points of contamination Strong recreational uses Strong recreational uses –Fishing, swimming, etc.