What is this page about?

Established in 1997, the Hypoxia Task Force set a long-term goal of reducing total phosphorus and total nitrogen loads within the MARB by 45% by 2035, with interim goals of a 15% reduction of nitrate-nitrogen and a 25% reduction of total phosphorus by 2025.

Leaders in 12 states are working collectively as part of the Hypoxia Task Force to reduce nutrient pollution and improve water quality in Mississippi River and its tributaries. However, determining whether water quality in a given area within a state or region is improving is a complex task. Each state tries to answer this question by quantifying nutrient trends, but they do so at various scales and time periods and using multiple statistical and scientific methods, making it challenging to compare trends across the entire MARB. While our Nutrient Trends Dashboard provides a visualization of comparable trends across the MARB, it also does not tell the whole story.

By exploring the State Efforts Dashboard, you can see how each state is approaching the challenge of nutrient reduction in their waterways. We have also provided a summary table of the similarities and differences in the state approaches to nutrient loss reduction and links to available resources, including: State Nutrient Loss Reduction Plans, Nutrient Dashboards, and Additional Water Quality Resources.

For a more in depth coverage of nutrient loss reduction approaches read: Assessing Water Quality: Varied Approaches to Measure Change and Show Nutrient Reduction Progress