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. Their main job is to work with others to protect and improve land and water. They want to make sure these natural resources are healthy for everyone, now and in the future.
The "Minnehaha Creek" in their name refers to a waterway. This creek connects Lake Minnetonka to the mighty Mississippi River. But the area they look after, called a watershed, is much bigger than just one lake or creek. It covers about 178 square miles (461 square kilometers)! This large area includes 29 different communities. It stretches from near Minnehaha Falls west to Saint Bonifacius. It also goes north towards Maple Plain. Inside this watershed, you'll find 129 lakes and 8 major creeks. These are located in Hennepin and Carver counties. Some of the well-known lakes in the district are Bde Maka Ska, Harriet, and Nokomis.
The main office for the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is in Minnetonka, Minnesota. The district is led by seven Board Members. They also have a Citizen Advisory Committee, which helps guide their work. The current leader of the district is James Wisker.
What is a Watershed District?
A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains to the same place. Think of it like a giant bowl. All the rain and snow that falls in that bowl eventually flows into one river, lake, or ocean. A watershed district is a local government group. It helps manage and protect the water and land within a specific watershed. They work to keep the water clean and prevent problems like flooding.
History of the MCWD
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District was created in 1967. It was formed under a special law called the Minnesota Watershed District Act of 1955. This law gave watershed districts an important job. They needed to bring together different groups to manage water. This includes city, county, and state agencies. The MCWD works to create healthy communities within its watershed. They do this by planning together, investing in projects, and helping people get permits. They also share their expert knowledge and teach residents about water protection.
The district gets its funding from local property taxes. This money helps them do their important work.
In 2012 and 2013, the MCWD did a special project. They looked at how to respond to flooding and manage 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 successful example.
In 2014, there were some changes in the district's leadership. The Board made a decision about their administrator. This led to discussions about how decisions were made. City mayors in the district asked for committee meetings to be recorded. This was to make sure everything was clear and open. In 2015, Lars Erdahl was chosen as the new administrator.
