Wetlands in Minnesota
See mapped wetlands and who to ask before filling or building near one.
Minnesota public drainage systems
Explains Minnesota public drainage law: landowners share open ditches and tile lines, and a public drainage authority runs each one. The authority is a county board of commissioners, a joint county board, or a watershed district board of managers. Contact the county or watershed district that runs the ditch.
7 more options
- Board of Water and Soil ResourcesState agency overseeing soil and water conservation districts, watershed districts, the Wetland Conservation Act, buffers and conservation easements such as RI…
Statewide What is this?
- DNR Wetlands ProgramOverview of wetland types, rules and DNR programs in Minnesota, with links to regulations and maps.
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- Find a DNR Area HydrologistCounty-assigned DNR contacts for public waters, shoreland and public waters work permits. For local Wetland Conservation Act decisions, use the BWSR Wetland Co…
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- Minn. Rules Ch. 8420 Wetland Conservation ActRules implementing the Wetland Conservation Act, including exemptions, replacement and delineation standards.
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- Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation DistrictsDirectory and information for Minnesota's soil and water conservation districts, the local offices that handle conservation programs, ditch buffers and landown…
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- Minnesota Geospatial CommonsDownload Minnesota's statewide GIS data, such as roads, boundaries, imagery and elevation and property lines.
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- Minnesota NWI UpdateExplains the statewide wetland inventory update and how to view or download it.
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About wetlands
Wetland maps help identify areas that may need further review before filling, draining, or building. Use the relevant state and local environmental offices for permit guidance; a mapped boundary is a screening reference.