The Regional Assessment of River Quality in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area is a major study the Met Council conducted to examine the water quality of the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix Rivers over a 40-year period. The report examines recent river water quality conditions and long-term trends in water quality parameters for select physical and chemical constituents that have been monitored at 10 river sites since 1976.

The study provides a base of technical information that can support sound decisions about water resources in the metro area − decisions by the Met Council, state agencies, watershed districts, conservation districts, and county and city governments.

The Technical Summary provides an overview of the study. Additionally, three fact sheets summarize the main points for each of the rivers: the Mississippi, the Minnesota, and the St. Croix. A fourth fact sheet, the Regional Rivers Overview, is a simple summary of the water quality changes across all three rivers. 

This work supports the regional polices established in the Met Council’s Thrive MSP 2040 and 2040 Water Resources Policy Plan. These plans direct us to collaborate with partners to promote the long-term sustainability and health of the region’s water resources, including surface water, wastewater, and water supply.

Regional River Assessment

• Regional Assessment of River Water Quality in Twin Cities Metropolitan Area: 1976-2015 (PDF)
• Technical Summary (PDF)
• Fact Sheets (PDFs):
  • Regional Rivers Overview
  • Minnesota River
  • Mississippi River
  • St. Croix River