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. 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. The High Island Creek Watershed Project is currently working towards reducing levels of bacteria within the watershed by offering a diverse selection of cost share incentives along with a number of workshops/field days. Current practices available include open intake alternatives, manure application calibrations, structural practices that reduce feedlot and runoff, vegetative practices and septic system upgrades.