Watersheds

Watershed Map

The City is divided into four major watersheds. A watershed is defined as an area of land that drains rainfall and streams to a common outlet. Each of these four major watershed areas are governed by a Watershed District or Water Management Organization which are special-purpose units of government that work to solve and prevent water-related problems. The boundaries of each watershed district or water management organization closely follow the natural watershed divide.

Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD)
Runoff from RCWD within the City flows to White Bear Lake or north to Bald Eagle Lake in White Bear Township. Water from White Bear Lake also flows to Bald Eagle Lake, then travels northwest through Clearwater Creek to the chain of lakes in Lino Lakes, then to the Mississippi River in Fridley via Rice Creek.

Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD)
Runoff from this area flows west through Willow Creek to Willow Lake, south to Lake Phalen, then enters the St Paul storm sewer system where it discharges to the Mississippi River in St. Paul.

  • Are you in RWMWD? Click here to search your address.
  • Water resources within RWMWD: Pepper Tree Pond, Handlo’s Pond, Heiner’s Pond, Willow Creek Wetland

Valley Branch Watershed District (VBWD)
Stormwater runoff in the southeast corner of the City flows south to Silver Lake, then continues southeast through various lakes and streams where it ultimately discharges to the St. Croix River south of Hwy 94.

  • Are you in VBWD? Click here to search your address.
  • Water resources within VBWD: Wetland complex on Century College campus

Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO)
Runoff from this area flows to Lake Vadnais in Vadnais Heights from two locations: west from Goose Lake and Sabota Slough through Lambert Creek, or north from Birch Lake then south through the chain of lakes in North Oaks.

  • Are you in VLAWMO? Click here to search your address.
  • Water resources within VLAWMO: Goose Lake, Birch Lake, Sabota Slough

Cost Share Grants

All four watersheds offer cost share grants to assist landowners with water quality projects. Examples of projects include rain gardens, pervious pavement, green roofs, shoreline plantings, erosion stabilization, and rain barrels. Find your property on the map to determine which watershed management organization to contact.

Rice Creek Watershed District Grant Opportunities

Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District Stewardship Grants

Valley Branch Watershed District Best Management Practices (BMP) Grant Program

Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization Grant Opportunities

 

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