Minnehaha Creek Watershed District facts for kids
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| Watershed District overview | |
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| Formed | 1967 |
| Headquarters | 15320 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345 |
| Watershed District executive |
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The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) is a special group in Minnesota. Its main goal is to work with others to keep our land and water clean and healthy. They want to make sure these natural resources are good for people now and in the future.
The name comes from Minnehaha Creek. This creek connects Lake Minnetonka to the big Mississippi River. A "watershed" is a large area of land where all the rain and snowmelt drain into a common body of water. The MCWD's watershed is huge!
It covers about 178 square miles (461 square kilometers). This area includes 29 different towns and cities. It stretches from Minnehaha Falls in the east to Saint Bonifacius in the west. It also goes north to Maple Plain.
Inside this district, there are 129 lakes and 8 major creeks. These are found in Hennepin and Carver counties. Some well-known lakes in the district are Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, and Lake Nokomis.
The main office for the District is in Minnetonka, Minnesota. A group of seven Board Members leads the MCWD. They also have a Citizen Advisory Committee. The current leader, called the District Administrator, is James Wisker.
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What is a Watershed District?
A watershed district is like a local government for water. It helps manage all the water in a specific area. This includes lakes, rivers, creeks, and even groundwater. They work to prevent floods, improve water quality, and protect natural habitats.
The MCWD works with cities, counties, and state groups. They make plans together and invest in projects. They also help people get permits for projects near water. Plus, they teach people about water and how to protect it.
History of the MCWD
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District started in 1967. It was created because of a law called the Minnesota Watershed District Act of 1955. This law made it possible for groups like the MCWD to manage water across different cities and counties.
The district gets its money from local property taxes. This money helps them do important work to protect our water.
Helping with Flooding
In 2012 and 2013, the MCWD did a special project. They talked to people about how to deal with flooding and stormwater. Stormwater is the water that runs off streets and roofs when it rains. This project was so good that the EPA recognized it as a great example for others.
Changes in Leadership
In 2014, there was a change in the district's leadership. The Board made a decision to change the administrator. This led to discussions about how the board made decisions. In 2015, Lars Erdahl was chosen as the new administrator. Later, James Wisker became the District Administrator.
