IWAV/VWMP

MPCA Impaired Water Viewer (IWAV):

The federal Clean Water Act requires states to monitor & assess their waters to determine if they meet water quality standards and support the beneficial uses they are intended to provide. Waters that do not meet their designated uses because of water quality standard violations are impaired. The MPCA Impaired Waters Viewer (IWAV) provides a map interface for the latest MN impaired waters data:  IWAV Link  

Volunteer Water Monitoring Program (VWMP):

MPCA is recruiting volunteers to help track water quality changes in lakes and streams across the state. Minnesota’s water monitoring programs are among the largest volunteer science programs in the nation, but in order to reach all the lakes and streams across Minnesota, more volunteers are needed.

More than 1,400 Minnesotans volunteer to track the health of their favorite lake or stream through the Volunteer Water Monitoring Program. As part of the program, volunteers are asked to perform a short and simple test at their designated lake or stream once per week throughout the summer. Equipment and training are provided by MPCA.

Volunteer data helps water resource managers to see trends in water quality and make watershed management decisions throughout the state. For some lakes and streams, volunteer-collected data is the only data available, making volunteer involvement critical to ensuring to the long-term health of Minnesota’s waters.

Water monitoring volunteers benefit from the program by learning more about their favorite lake or stream, connecting with their community, and helping to maintain and protect one of our state’s most precious natural resources.

To become a volunteer or learn more about the program, visit MPCA’s Volunteer Water Monitoring web page,  or call 800-657-3864.