Protecting Our Natural Systems

Land use projects affect the rate, volume, and quality of surface water flowing throughout the Minnehaha Creek Watershed, which in turn impacts the ecological integrity of streams, lakes, and wetlands including wildlife habitat, plant biodiversity, water quality, and recreation conditions. Since the watershed encompasses numerous cities and townships, no single governing body has jurisdiction over all land use projects that impact its waters.

The Minnesota Legislature recognized the public need to conserve and protect natural resources on a watershed scale and passed the Minnesota Watershed District Act in 1955. In 1967, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) was formed to collaborate with communities to manage and regulate projects that impact water quantity and quality across the 178-square-mile watershed. MCWD’s regulatory rules ensure reasonable and consistent standards that will protect the region’s water resources for generations to come.