INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District. The District encompasses the Minnesota River Valley from Carver, Minnesota to the confluence with the Mississippi River at Historic Fort Snelling.

The District boundaries adjoin five watershed districts, four water management organizations, and include portions of fifteen communities in four metropolitan counties.

Some of the unique features to the District include: Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Twin Cities International Airport, Mall of America, Boiling Springs, Savage Fen, Seminary Fen, and Camp Coldwater Spring.
The fertile floodplains produce some of the “sweetest” sweet corn in the World.

The District is unique from other watershed districts in that upon establishment the District became a legal entity for providing local participation to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct a navigational channel. With this purpose in mind, a 9-foot navigation channel was developed from the mouth of the Minnesota River to mile 14.7 at Savage, Minnesota. Construction of the project began in 1966 and was completed in 1968. The District is still actively involved with the maintenance of the channel today.

It is the goal of the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District to work with local units of government, private citizens, and local organizations to provide strategic resource evaluation and management.