Little Rock Creek to Undergo Water Management Changes

RICE -- A creek in central Minnesota that is considered impaired by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is set to undergo water management changes.

Little Rock Creek is part of the Sartell Wildlife Management Area and flows into Little Rock Lake near Rice.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the creek is impaired for trout and other aquatic life, in part, due to warmer-than-normal water temperatures. So, the DNR will remove boards in a dam spillway in an effort to lower the water temperature in a pool upstream.

The analysis of the creek also shows that demands by farmers and irrigators in the area exceed the reasonably available water supply. The DNR says it will work with stakeholders to develop plans to resolve the water use conflict in an attempt to avoid modifying permits.

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The DNR will monitor the dam modification for three years to determine whether the move has the desired effect.