Sauk River Watershed (SRW) Groundwater Restoration and Protection Strategies Report October 2018 GRAPS Report #7 Sauk River Watershed GRAPS Report 1 Sauk River Watershed Groundwater Restoration and Protection Strategies Report Minnesota Department of Health Source Water Protection Unit PO Box 64975, St. Paul, MN 55164-0975 (651) 201-4695
[email protected] www.health.state.mn.us Upon request, this material will be made available in an alternative format such as large print, Braille, or audio recording. Printed on recycled paper. The development of the GRAPS report was funded by money received from the Clean Water Fund through the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment. The goal of the Clean Water Fund is to protect, enhance, and restore Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater. Contributors The following agencies dedicated staff time and resources toward the development of the Sauk River Watershed GRAPS report: ▪ Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) ▪ Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) ▪ Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) ▪ Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) ▪ Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Photo Credit: The photo on the front page is in Stearns County in the Sauk River Watershed and is courtesy of the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District. Sauk River Watershed GRAPS Report 2 Summary Groundwater is an important resource in the Sauk River Watershed (SRW). Groundwater accounts for 89 percent of reported water use in most years. More than 28 percent of groundwater withdrawn is for public water supply use, with nearly 57 percent used for agricultural irrigation. In addition, groundwater accounts for 100 percent of the region’s drinking water, except for the City of St.