About the Watershed
Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District
Are you in the Watershed?
The Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District partners with the cities and townships to work across municipal boundaries to manage about 81 square miles of land, 31 lakes, three designated trout streams, hundreds of acres of wetlands and more than 17 miles of St. Croix River shoreline.
As a special-purpose unit of government, the District has planning, regulatory and taxing authority to coordinate watershed management efforts between city, county and state agencies. We are governed by a seven-member board of managers. Our staff consists of two employees, plus several partners at the Washington Conservation District.
Our work is outlined in a comprehensive watershed management plan with goals for the District. We contribute funding and technical expertise to water infrastructure projects, help regulate development through permitting, manage natural resources and educate the public on watershed issues. In addition, we provide cost share grants for District residents to install practices at their homes or workplaces that benefit local waters and ecosystems.
Watershed History
1981
In 1981 the Carnelian-Marine Watershed District was formed to address property damage being caused by fluctuating water levels on area lakes.
2001
In 2001, the Marine Water Management Organization proposed a merger with the Carnelian-Marine Watershed District. Washington County agreed to petition for the expansion of the Carnelian-Marine Watershed District on behalf of these local governments and to include the northeast portion of Washington County that was not within any water management organization’s jurisdiction.
2007
In 2007, the Board of Soil and Water Resources accepted the petition, expanded the district, and renamed it the Carnelian-Marine-Saint Croix Watershed District.
Documents
Explore our Management Plan, Annual Reports, and Financial information.
Board of Managers and Staff
Meet our Board of Managers and find contact information for our staff.
Citizen Advisory Committee
Meet the members of our Citizen Advisory Committee.