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Minnehaha Creek Watershed District outlines next decade of projects, highlights Turbid Lake wetland restoration opportunity
Summary
Watershed officials presented progress from the last decade and launched work on a 2027 watershed plan, describing projects that treated hundreds of acres of stormwater, roughly $2 million in state grants funneled to Victoria-area projects, and a proposed 45-acre wetland restoration at Turbid Lake that could remove the lake from the state’s impaired waters list.
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District briefed the Carver County Board on its decade of work and the kickoff of a 2027 watershed management plan aimed at guiding the next 10 years of projects and policy.
James Whisker, administrator for the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, told commissioners the watershed covers 178 square miles and spans 29 cities and townships. He highlighted two decade-long projects, the Minnehaha Creek Greenway and work in 6 Mile Creek/Halsted Bay, and said the district has treated hundreds of acres of regional stormwater, restored stream alignment and improved water quality downstream into Minneapolis. Whisker said the watershed has pipelined “almost $2,000,000 in state grant funds specifically for natural resource projects” that supported delivery of 22 acres of regional stormwater management in downtown Victoria and other projects.
Turning to Carver County-specific work, Whisker described restoration near Wasserman Lake, reporting construction reached substantial completion this spring and that data show the lake is meeting state standards for the first time in its monitored history. He outlined a proposed 45-acre wetland restoration in the Turbid Lake corridor that the district said could remove that lake from Minnesota’s impaired waters list by reducing pollutant loads and restoring drained wetlands. Whisker said the district is discussing a wetland bank and public-private partnerships with landowners and the Carver Soil and Water Conservation District.
Commissioners asked about statutory obligations and budget size. Whisker said the watershed’s budget runs roughly $12–$15 million annually, with a levy typically around $9.7 million and approximately 4% of that levy coming from Carver County. He explained the watershed’s obligations to adopt rules for stormwater and wetland protection and described a technical advisory committee and policy advisory committee that will help shape the 2027 plan; the first joint advisory meeting was scheduled for April 28.
The board thanked the watershed district for the update and invited continued coordination and reporting to the county as the 2027 plan process proceeds. The presentation included maps and examples of projects that have restored wetlands, treated runoff and improved public access to waterways.
