Watershed Management Plan
The Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act of 1982 required all land in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area to be divided into watersheds, each watershed to be overseen by a Watershed Management Organization (WMO), and each WMO to adopt a Watershed Management Plan. These plans must be updated at least every ten years.
The Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission’s Third Generation plan was approved by the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) on September 23, 2015, and adopted by the Commission on October 14, 2015.
The Third Generation Plan can be downloaded as a single document here.
Section 1: Introduction and Purpose
Section 2: Inventory and Condition Assessment
Section 3: Watershed Organization and Operations
Section 4: Implementation Plan
Fourth Generation Plan Update
The Commission is updating its Management Plan. This Fourth Generation Plan sets forth goals, policies, and actions for the period 2025-2034. This Plan will guide work undertaken by the Commission, member cities, and other stakeholders.
What is our focus for 2025-2034?
The Commission has established four priorities of focus for the Fourth Generation Plan:
The Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act of 1982 required all land in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area to be divided into watersheds, each watershed to be overseen by a Watershed Management Organization (WMO), and each WMO to adopt a Watershed Management Plan. These plans must be updated at least every ten years.
The Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission’s Third Generation plan was approved by the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) on September 23, 2015, and adopted by the Commission on October 14, 2015.
The Third Generation Plan can be downloaded as a single document here.
Section 1: Introduction and Purpose
Section 2: Inventory and Condition Assessment
Section 3: Watershed Organization and Operations
Section 4: Implementation Plan
Fourth Generation Plan Update
The Commission is updating its Management Plan. This Fourth Generation Plan sets forth goals, policies, and actions for the period 2025-2034. This Plan will guide work undertaken by the Commission, member cities, and other stakeholders.
What is our focus for 2025-2034?
The Commission has established four priorities of focus for the Fourth Generation Plan:
- Protect, maintain, and improve the water quality and ecological integrity of the water and natural resources within the watersheds and the downstream receiving waters.
- Reduce stormwater runoff rates and volumes to limit flood risk, protect conveyance systems, protect surficial groundwater, and reduce or mitigate impacts that have already occurred.
- Educate and engage all stakeholders in the watershed on surface water issues and opportunities.
- Anticipate and proactively work to withstand adverse impacts from changing land use/cover and environmental and climate conditions.
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Draft Plan-in-Progress
A draft of the Plan and its appendices are linked below. Draft Fourth Generation Management Plan - as of April 2025 Appendix A - Joint Powers Agreement Appendix B - Land and Water Inventory Appendix C - Rules and Standards Appendix D - Monitoring Program Appendix E - Implementation Program and CIP Descriptions Appendix F - Self Assessment Presentation - Intro to the Fourth Generation Plan |
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Schedule and Upcoming Work
In April-May 2025 the member cities, residents, property owners and other interested parties are invited to review and comment on the draft Plan before the Commission starts the formal agency review process, which will start in late spring and culminate in a public hearing in August 2025. Following that hearing, the proposed Fourth Generation Plan will be submitted to the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources for review and approval.
In April-May 2025 the member cities, residents, property owners and other interested parties are invited to review and comment on the draft Plan before the Commission starts the formal agency review process, which will start in late spring and culminate in a public hearing in August 2025. Following that hearing, the proposed Fourth Generation Plan will be submitted to the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources for review and approval.
