News Release

Water Quality Results Released

News Release Date: August 7, 2023

Contact: Lauren Blacik, 507-825-5464

The U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service have released the results of a recent study to assess contamination in the Pipestone Creek at Pipestone National Monument. Data was collected in 2018-19 after the park raised concerns about potential health hazards.

Samples from Pipestone Creek, the pipestone quarries, and Winnewissa Falls were analyzed for over 250 potential water-quality parameters and contaminants. Researchers detected 13 pesticides, 5 pharmaceuticals, caffeine, methylparaben, 2 algal toxins, 3 fecal indicator bacteria, and Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) in creek and/or quarry samples. Among the most concerning findings is that fecal coliform and E. coli were detected in all creek samples and exceeded recommended levels. These bacteria are an indication of fecal contamination and can be associated with some gastrointestinal diseases. The presumed source of this bacteria is cattle manure, based on the presence of MAP, which is a parasitic bacterium that can cause disease in cattle.

Three other pathogens were also detected in the water near Winnewissa Falls: Cryptosporidium, Legionella, and ruminant Bacteriodes. There are no maximum recommended levels associated with these organisms; however, Cryptosporidium and Legionella can cause illness in humans. Ruminant Bacteroides is an indicator of manure contamination.Other findings that exceeded water-quality benchmarks include dissolved oxygen and turbidity, total nitrogen, nitrate, and phosphorus, and the pesticide atrazine.  Upstream of the Monument, Pipestone Creek has been channelized into a judicial ditch, which is heavily impacted by agricultural and stormwater runoff.

The monument has taken the initial steps of posting signs warning of the potential health hazards posed to the public and strongly recommends against entering the Pipestone Creek. Some state and local government agencies have programs to incentive best practices to reduce contamination, and we hope to work with others to improve water quality in the Creek over time.

Traditionally, the Pipestone Creek sustained people following wild game, and its waters likely drew people to the quarries. To many, this water is a sacred resource, intertwined with the health of the people, plants, animals, and the pipestone itself. To learn more about programs available to support best conservation management practices, visit the Pipestone Soil and Water Conservation District’s website at https://pipestoneswcd.org/more-programs. 

To learn more about Pipestone National Monument, visit www.nps.gov/pipe.The complete study can be found here: https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20225122.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 425 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.