What's a Watershed District?

Watershed districts are special units of local government that conserve natural resources through various means as laid out in their watershed management plans. The plans are updated every 10 years and identify water related problems, possible solutions, objectives, and proposed projects of the watershed district. Watershed districts are led by a board of managers and water resource professionals who frequently collaborate with local communities to achieve water resource objectives.

Want to see what watershed district you're in? Click here to view the interactive map.

Carver County Water Management Organization

Chanhassen is part of four districts and the Carver County Water Management Organization (WMO). Their mission is to protect, preserve and manage surface water & groundwater in the midst of rapid growth and intensive agricultural activity. Responsibilities include planning, funding, regulating, educating and implementing the Carver County Water Management Plan. 

The WMO may only oversee a few small sections of western Chanhassen, but within the county, they steward 320 square miles. This includes 35 lakes larger than 10 acres, and 365 miles of stream, and the Bevens Creek, Carver Creek, East Chaska Creek, West Chaska Creek, parts of the Pioneer Sarah and parts of the Crow River watersheds.