The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District advises people to avoid direct body contact* with the Minnehaha Creek for a period of 3 days or 72 hours, after a rainfall ends. Minnehaha Creek is an urban stream that receives direct storm sewer runoff from streets which may contain pathogens (disease-causing organisms including bacteria, viruses, or protozoa that can cause illness). Pathogen indicators (microbes that indicate the possible presence of pathogens) are present in the creek at all times, but reach higher levels after a storm event.

Here are some suggestions for safer use of the creek, but be advised that following these suggestions does not eliminate the possibility of becoming ill from exposure to pathogens.

1. Don't drink creek water.
2. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating or putting fingers in mouth following contact with creek water.
3. Elderly people, children, and people with compromised immune systems are at greater risk/more susceptible to pathogens in surface water than others.

* To credibly define direct body contact, you are more likely to get sick if you get any water in your mouth during swimming but may include water in your eyes, ears or on the skin. In addition to swimming, direct body contact may be possible during canoeing, fishing and wading.

The MCWD has commissioned a detailed report regarding the relationship between precipitation events and the concentration of pathogen indicators in the Minnehaha Creek and at Minneapolis beaches.

Additional online resources

• Environmental Protection Agency
• Minnesota Department of Health Fish Advisory
• Minnesota DNR Fish Advisory
• Water Health Connection: Physician's On-line Reference Guide

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