Spring River Watch

Levels are rising in the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers as snowmelt and runoff continues to make their way downstream. According to a recent report, crests are soon likely to affect lowl-ying areas near places that just days ago were covered in snowdrifts. On the north side of the river,across from Downtown Hastings, minor flooding can be seen creeping up in the wooded acres with debris bobbing along downriver in a fairly swift current. A nowake slow zone is in effect for watercraft and precipitation expected Thursday could add slightly to the totals expected to peak early next week. With flooding, also comes erosion of surrounding land, something the Minnesota Pollution control Agency is keeping a close watch on as it recently announced the addition of more lakes and streams to the growing list of bodies of Minnesota water that is considered impaired due to nutrients, salt, mercury and bacteria. Currently, 4 of every 10 lake, river and stream in the state that have undergone the biannual testing, do not meat water quality standards. A total of 2,669 water bodies have been deemed impaired, giving notice to state and local organizations that the task is formidable to preserve quality water resources.

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