The Hawk Yellow Medicine Watershed spans across a land area of approximately 1,879 square miles and is located in southwestern Minnesota. The watershed is primarily agricultural with a mix of croplands, grasslands, and wetlands. The hydrology of the watershed is dominated by the Minnesota River which flows through the center of the watershed. The snowpack in the region varies from year to year, with the most significant snowfall typically occurring in January and February. Surface water resources in the watershed are influenced by agricultural runoff and land use practices. The watershed contains several reservoirs, including Marsh Lake, Lac qui Parle Lake, and Upper Sioux Agency State Park Reservoir. Climatic trends in the region show an increase in precipitation over the last several decades, as well as an increase in extreme weather events. These trends have implications for the management of water resources in the region.