photo credit to MnDNR WASHINGTON CHISAGO ISANTI ANOKA AITKIN KANABEC LACS MILLE L a k e www.metrocouncil.org M i l l e L a c s WRIGHT BENTON Rum River Rum Watershed WING CROW MORRISON MEEKER Miles STERNS FAST FACTS FAST Major river basin: Surface water runoff, source: Water lake outflow Length: 150 miles miles 1,584 square area: Watershed land use: Wetlands, Watershed grasslands, agricultural and forests, urban areas Rum Regional parks: Lake George, River Central State park: Mille Lacs Kathio Anoka Cooperator organizations: Conservation District 1996 first monitored: Year Wild rice, historic Special feature: sites near Mille and archaeological Lacs ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ENVIRONMENTAL 3 0 6 12

Annual Precipitation, inches 40 30 20 10 0 Precipitation Average Flow Rate Average is located north of the metropolitan area. It begins at the It begins at area. the metropolitan is located north of 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 0 800 600 400 200

1,600 1,400 1,200 1,000

cubic feet per second second per feet cubic

Average Flow Rate, Rate, Flow Average Rum River Annual Flows and Precipitation Rum River Sediment banks stream poorly-managed construction sites or eroded Sediment from and harm aquatic life. the light available in streams and gullies can decrease Another term for sediment is “total suspended solids.” Rum River carries an average of 26 million pounds of sediment into the it Mississippi River each year (enough to fill 787 15-ton dump trucks), but in the basin. has the lowest sediment concentration of all the streams Nutrients health. necessary for stream and phosphorus, are Nutrients, like nitrogen elevated nutrient levels, caused by materials like fertilizers, animal However, pet waste or grass clippings, can cause excessive algae growth manure, and harm aquatic wildlife, insects and fish. Rum River has the second lowest concentrations of phosphorus and in the Mississippi to other streams as nitrate) compared (measured nitrogen Mississippi, it the same as the River basin. Since its phosphorus levels are lower than and its nitrate levels are water quality, the river’s does not affect other rural watersheds.

Rum River Rum River Flow aquatic life and affects water flowing in a stream, or the rate of flow, Stream transport erosion, and to flooding and the ecosystem. High flows can lead pollutants. but is influenced by how much rain or snow Rum River flows year-round, River is Since 2003, the average flow in the Rum has fallen in any given year. the river seven At that rate, it would take nearly 886 cubic feet-per-second. Center in . Target days to fill the Lake Mille Lacs outlet in Mille Lacs Kathio State Park and runs through and runs through in Mille Lacs Kathio State Park Lake Mille Lacs outlet including agricultural, and urban areas, grassland, lakes, wetlands, forest, small stands of wild rice are There Onamia Lake, a crucial wild rice lake. into the Mississippi The river discharges found along the length of the river. and State Trail is both a State Water River near the city of Anoka. The river Wild and Scenic River. Median Phosphorus Concentrations in the Mississippi Chloride River and Tributary Streams, 2003–2012 Chloride, one component of salt, is typically used for winter road, parking Phosphorus Concentration, lot, and sidewalk maintenance and home water softening. Large-lot rural, milligram per liter residential areas also have many individual on-site septic systems to 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 manage wastewater since there is no centralized sewage system. Failed Mississippi River at Anoka septic systems can leak chloride into the groundwater and eventually pollute the stream. South Fork Crow River Rum River has the lowest concentration of chloride of the Mississippi Crow River Main Stem River streams, reflecting the rural nature of the region. Rum River Preserving our Creeks Bassett Creek The Upper Rum River and Lower Rum River Watershed Management Minnehaha Creek Organizations are the local governing bodies responsible for maintaining Mississippi River at St. Paul the watershed and improving river water quality. They partner with private landowners, cities, counties, and the Department of Natural Battle Creek Resources to complete various improvement projects, including: Fish Creek • Building rain gardens Vermillion River • Establishing vegetation buffers along the river Cannon River • Restoring wild rice stands Is the Stream Improving? Median Sediment Concentrations in the Mississippi Long-term data analysis and computer modeling indicate that Rum River’s River and Tributary Streams, 2003–2012 water quality has improved because sediment, phosphorus and nitrate levels have decreased. Total Suspended Solids Concentration, milligram per liter Protecting the Region’s Water Resources 0 50 100 150 This work supports the regional policies established in the Metropolitan Mississippi River at Anoka Council’s Thrive MSP 2040 and Water Resources Policy Plan to collaborate South Fork Crow River with partners to promote the long-term sustainability and health of the region’s water resources, including surface water, wastewater and water Crow River Main Stem supply. Rum River For more information Bassett Creek About this fact sheet, contact Jennifer Kostrzewski: jennifer.kostrzewski@metc. Minnehaha Creek state.mn.us, 651-602-1078 Mississippi River at St. Paul About stream monitoring, contact Cassie Champion: cassandra.champion@metc. Battle Creek state.mn.us, 651-602-8745 Fish Creek Visit www.metrocouncil.org/streams for the full results of the Comprehensive Water Vermillion River Quality Assessment of Select Metropolitan Area Streams.

Cannon River

Metropolitan Council 390 Robert Street North Saint Paul, MN 55101 Main: 651.602.1000 TTY: 651.291.0904 Public Information: 651.602.1500 www.metrocouncil.org Published 2014 [email protected]