Watershed district (Minnesota)

Watershed districts are special government entities in the U.S. state of Minnesota that monitor and regulate the use of water in watersheds surrounding various lakes and rivers in the state. The districts cover the natural regions of the watersheds, rather than politically defined regions and thus may have boundaries that cross jurisdictions. They are run by a board of managers, who are appointed by commissions in the counties within the districts.

The districts were first authorized by Minnesota state legislation in 1955. As of November 2016 there are 45 districts in the state (see map). District boards coordinate activities with the state, as well as with the counties, cities, and soil and water conservation districts within the watershed districts. In comparison with public bodies in other countries, watershed districts are most similar to the internal drainage boards of England and Wales, Waterschappen of the Netherlands, and Consorzi di bonifica e irrigazione of Italy.