Watershed Districts and Water Management Organizations

Watershed Districts

A watershed district is a special purpose local unit of government established under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 103D. A watershed district's boundary follows the natural watershed or hydrologic boundary draining to a downstream waterbody. The seven watershed districts located wholly or partially within Washington County are:

Brown's Creek Watershed District (BCWD)

Carnelian-Marine-St.Croix Watershed District (CMSCWD)

Comfort Lake - Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD)

Ramsey - Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD)

Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD)

South Washington Watershed District (SWWD)

Valley Branch Watershed District (VBWD)

Each watershed district is governed by a board of managers appointed by the county boards of the counties with land in the watershed district. Projects are funded through the watershed district's taxing authority and, for projects initiated by citizen petitions, by special assessments. Watershed districts are required to adopt watershed management plans which establish the district's goals and objectives. To implement the plan, watershed districts may adopt rules and regulations and permit certain activities in the district.

Joint Powers Agreement Water Management Organizations

A joint powers agreement water management organization has the general authorities specified in Minnesota Statutes Sections 103B.211 through 255 and specific authorities agreed to through a joint powers agreement between the municipalities and townships within the watershed area. The only JPAWMO located in Washington County is:

Middle St. Croix Water Management Organization (MSCWMO)

A JPAWMO is governed by a board appointed by the member municipalities and townships.

Citizen Involvement - Become a Watershed District Manager

Watershed district managers are appointed by the Washington County Board of Commissioners. Applicants must reside within the watershed districts.

Watershed Map (PDF)

MN Association of Watershed Districts
This web site offers additional information and links to an array of watershed-related sites & resources

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