The Mississippi River above Lake Pepin, the Lower Vermillion River, and Spring Lake are polluted with sediment and algae.  This section of the Upper Mississippi River lies within the Twin Cities Metro Area of Minnesota and receives significant loads of sediment and nutrients from the Minnesota River, which drains much of Minnesota's agricultural region.  Mississippi Makeover is a new partnership of local citizens and stakeholders, Dakota County (project coordinator), Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District, Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  It is a smaller part of the ongoing Mississippi River/Lake Pepin Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Study. The ultimate goal of this partnership is to implement a variety of watershed and river projects to create a healthy and protected ecosystem that attracts abundant wildlife, becomes a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, and provides economic benefits to local communities.  Additional information is available at http://www.dakotaswcd.org/.