Watershed Planning

With the goal of improving water quality, maintaining land productivity, and improving quality of life, watershed planning considers urban development, agriculture, industrial activities, and conservation efforts to create strategies that promote sustainable water management and addresses issues like pollution, flooding, and habitat degradation. Until 2015 water planning was done within county boundaries. But water does not follow political boundaries. So, Minnesota shifted to the One Watershed, One Plan Program. It is a collaborative strategy to manage water resources in a more efficient and sustainable manner.  Now Wright County works directly with other local units of government in our watersheds to improve watershed management strategies.

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There are three watersheds within Wright County. The Mississippi River-St. Cloud, the North Fork Crow River, and the South Fork Crow River. The North Fork Crow River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan was completed in 2018 and updated in 2023. The Mississippi River-St. Cloud and the South Fork Crow River comprehensive watershed management plans are currently in development and expected to be completed in 2024.