Directory for Water-Resource Management Information in the Twin Cities Metro
(For Greater Minnesota, go to Board of Water and Soil Resources or call 651-296-3767)
Looking for information on the condition of a river, lake, or wetland? Seeking grant funding or technical assistance on a water management project? Want collaborators to join in on a joint project? Try contacting the following units of government with water management responsibilities.
Since all levels of government — local, state, and federal — are involved in managing water resources, knowing who to contact can be confusing. If you are uncertain, a good first call is your Soil and Water Conservation District (sometimes simply called "Conservation District"). They will be able to tell you what watershed you live in and what level of government is responsible for your issue of concern.
City Water Managers (stormwater pollution prevention programs) City departments involved in water management vary from city to city. Try Public Works, Planning and Zoning or Environmental Services. Some cities have taken on watershed management responsibilities through joint-power agreements with neighboring cities.
County Local Water Managers (local water management) Every county has a Local Water Manager, who coordinates water management on the county level and oversees sources of state water program funding. Local Water Managers in three metro counties, Carver, Dakota and Scott, also manage watersheds.
| Anoka County | 763-434-2030 | Anoka Conservation Department |
| Carver County | 952-361-1820 | Carver County Planning Department |
| Dakota County | 952-891-7018 | Dakota County Planning Department |
| Hennepin County | 612-348-6157 | Hennepin County Environmental Services |
| Ramsey County | 651-488-1476 | Ramsey Soil and Water Conservation District |
| Scott County | 952-496-8054 | Scott County Natural Resources Department |
| Washington County | 651-430-6011 | Washington County Department of Administration |
Conservation Districts (MN Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts) These local units of government are based on county lines, but are separate from county government. They assist landowners, townships, cities and counties in carrying out projects to reduce soil erosion, stabilize stream banks, establish natural habitats, protect wetlands, monitor water, and reduce runoff pollution.
| Anoka Conservation District | 763-434-2030 |
| Carver Soil and Water Conservation District | 952-442-5101 |
| Dakota Soil and Water Conservation District | 651-480-7777 |
| Ramsey Soil and Water Conservation District | 651-488-1476 |
| Scott Soil and Water Conservation District | 952-492-2636 |
| Washington Conservation District | 651-275-1136 |
Watershed Districts (MN Association of Watershed Districts) Watershed districts are local units of government based on watershed lines. They often involve more than one county and several cities. Watershed districts are responsible for comprehensive water management and are able to create rules, levy taxes, purchase property and carry out projects to get their work done.
| Browns Creek Watershed District | 651-275-1136 |
| Capitol Region Watershed District | 651-644-8888 |
| Carnelian-Marine Watershed District | 651-770-8448 |
| Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District | 612-333-7400 |
| Coon Creek Watershed District | 651-755-0975 |
| Lower Minnesota River Watershed District | 952-496-8842 |
| Minnehaha Creek Watershed District | 952-471-0590 |
| Nine Mile Creek Watershed District | 952-832-2600 |
| Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District | 952-447-4166 |
| Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District | 651-704-2089 |
| Rice Creek Watershed District | 763-398-3070 |
| Riley Purgatory Bluff Watershed District | 952-832-2600 |
| South Washington Watershed District | 651-714-3729 |
| Valley Branch Watershed District | 651-770-1730 |
Watershed districts exist in Minnesota outside of the metro area. Visit the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources Web site for information or call 651-296-3767.
Joint Powers Watershed Management Organizations (Metro Surface Water Management) These organizations are similar to watershed districts, but are governed differently. They do not have their own government, but rather are cooperative organizations of cities located in a watershed. The best way to contact a Joint Power Watershed Management Organization is through the public works department of a member city (see City Water Management section above).
State Agencies Four state agencies are involved in water management. Phone numbers given below are for metro area offices:
| Minnesota Health Department (for concerns on drinking-water safety and drinking-water wells) | 651-215-0770 |
| Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (for concerns on altering water bodies and water use) | 651-772-7900 |
| Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (for concerns on pollution control) | 651-296-6300 |
| Minnesota State Duty Officer – Minnesota Department of Public Safety (to report emergency pollution problems) | 651-649-5451 800-422-0798 |