In Minnesota, there are several different organizations that work together to manage and protect our water resources.  The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Pollution Control Agency (PCA) are two organizations that many of us are familiar with.  But have you heard of watershed districts (WD) or watershed management organizations (MWO)?

Unlike the DNR or the PCA, watershed districts and watershed management organizations are based around individual watersheds – all the land that drains into a particular water body.  This means that a WD or WMO may include only part of a city or multiple cities and counties.  For example, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District covers all the land that drains into Minnehaha Creek, and includes part or all of 27 cities and two townships in Hennepin and Carver Counties.  Each part of the Twin Cities Metropolitan area is managed either by a WD, a WMO, or a county-based organization.

What’s the difference between a WD and a WMO?  Watershed districts are themselves local units of government, while watershed management organizations are joint powers agreements made by local units of government (cities and counties joining together).  For other differences and similarities, visit the Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources and the Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts.

What to WDs and WMOs do?  Both types of organizations work to protect and improve our water resources through monitoring, restoration, and education work. They often work on joint projects with each other, and with city, county, and state organizations.  Many WDs and WMOs offer cost-share programs, through which citizens can get help implementing best management practices on their property (like rain gardens, shoreline restoration, or permeable paving stones).  Find out which watershed district or watershed management organization your home is located in, and see how you can get involved in helping create healthy waterbodies!