The High Island Creek Watershed is located in south central Minnesota and is a part of the Lower Minnesota Watershed, a major sub-basin of the Minnesota River Basin. The High Island Creek Watershed spreads out across 153,222 acres in three counties: Sibley (66% area), McLeod (23%), and Renville (11%). Its topography is flat to gently rolling in the western two-thirds of the watershed and steeply sloped in the eastern one-third. High Island Creek Watershed is considered by many as one of the most polluted watersheds in the Minnesota River Basin suffering from high levels of fecal coliform bacteria, total phosphorus, nitrate-nitrite nitrogen, and total suspended solids. To improve water quality in the High Island Creek Watershed, a diverse selection of cost share incentives along with a number of workshops are available. Practices include open intake alternatives (slotted risers, rock tile inlets,dense pattern tiling), structural practices (water and sediment control basins, terraces, diversions, grade control structures), cover crops, vegetative practices (wetland restorations, filter strips, rain gardens), nutrient management, and septic system upgrades.