COLEHARBOR LAGOON Wastewater Treatment Plant, McLean County, North Dakota

COLEHARBOR LAGOON is a wastewater treatment facility located in McLean County, North Dakota, United States. The plant serves a small population of 79 residents and operates with secondary treatment, which is typical for small communities in rural areas. It is situated near US-83 S and lies within 10 km of the coast, indicating a coastal influence on its operations. The plant has a designed capacity of 37.85 million gallons per year and discharges a similar volume, suggesting it operates at full capacity. As a US facility, it falls under the Clean Water Act and is likely regulated by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality through an NPDES permit, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into a receiving water body that ultimately drains to the Missouri River watershed, which flows into the Mississippi River and then to the Gulf of Mexico. This connection highlights the plant's role in protecting downstream aquatic ecosystems and the broader Gulf of Mexico ecosystem.

The plant discharges into a water body that is part of the Missouri River basin, which flows into the Mississippi River and eventually reaches the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for birds and fish. The plant's coastal proximity means its discharge can influence local estuarine and marine environments, making proper treatment essential for maintaining water quality.