Keep Leaves Out of Storm Drains to Save Minnesota Lakes

The state is urging residents to properly compost yard waste to prevent nutrient runoff and oxygen depletion in local waters.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Environmental

Screen-print poster illustration of a metal storm drain grate partially covered by colorful autumn maple leaves, evoking environmental community care. — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is urging residents to keep fallen leaves out of storm drains to prevent excess nutrient runoff into the state's lakes. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe individual yard waste disposal habits have a major impact on local water quality?

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is warning residents to keep fall leaves out of storm gutters to protect state waterways. The agency emphasizes that these organic materials contribute to nutrient runoff, which degrades water quality in local lakes and rivers.

Why it matters

Decomposing leaves release excess nutrients into aquatic ecosystems, fueling algae blooms that consume oxygen essential for fish and native vegetation. This managed approach to yard waste is critical for meeting state environmental standards.

Surveys by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency indicate that slightly under 45 percent of state lakes do not meet water quality standards. These metrics are tied to oxygen depletion caused by organic matter decomposition.

The players

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

The state environmental regulatory body responsible for monitoring water quality and enforcing disposal standards for organic waste.

The details

Leaves left on streets and sidewalks wash into municipal stormwater systems, which transport organic matter directly into lakes and rivers. This influx of nutrients triggers algae growth, which, as it decays, strips dissolved oxygen from the water. State regulations prohibit disposing of yard waste in regular garbage, requiring residents to compost leaves or transport them to city-designated sites.

Fall is the peak period when accumulating leaves in storm gutters impact water quality.

The Tech Race

This warning aligns with broader state efforts to manage nutrient loading in Minnesota waterways under the existing Minnesota state yard waste disposal law. It updates the public on the necessity of these waste practices to reach state water quality compliance goals.

Residents should ensure fall leaves are composted on-site or transported to authorized city compost facilities rather than leaving them in streets. These actions are required to comply with state disposal laws and prevent nutrient overload in municipal stormwater systems.

The takeaway

Maintaining clear storm drains is an essential step in preventing the nutrient runoff that currently plagues nearly half of Minnesota lakes. Residents should verify their local municipal leaf collection schedules to ensure yard waste is processed correctly.