Pipestone Creek is listed as impaired, primarily due to the presence of animal waste, and has been deemed unsuitable for swimming and wading. However, Pipestone Creek, which flows through Pipestone National Monument and forms Winnewissa Falls, is considered sacred to American Indians who bathe in the waters, possibly putting them and other Monument visitors at risk of disease.

The overall goal of this project is to identify the water-quality threats within PIPE, including chemical and biological contaminants, and assess the potential exposure risk to American Indian quarriers, staff, and park visitors.

Project Publications

• Creek and Quarry Water Quality at Pipestone National Monument and Pilot Study of Pathogen Detection Methods in Waterfall Mist at Winnewissa Falls, Pipestone, Minnesota, 2018–19