WMOs operate either as Watershed Districts with taxing authority, or under joint powers agreements with communities in their watershed. There are six WMOs in Dakota County. The Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) assists WMOs with a variety of services including Citizen Advisory Committee coordination, plan reviews, water quality studies, geographical information system development, and other technical and administrative tasks. The SWCD also works to protect and enhance watersheds by implementing a number of programs aimed at the use of best management practices including low impact development, construction site erosion control, nutrient management, greenway corridor development, no-till cropping, native vegetation establishment, and others.

• Gun Club Lake WMO encompasses 33 square miles of suburban land with majority of storm water draining to the Minnesota River; many small wetlands and lakes; major concern is lake water quality.

• Black Dog WMO encompasses 28 square miles sloping toward the Minnesota River; concerns include storm water flow, lake water quality and drainage facilites.

• Lower Mississsippi WMO encompasses 50 square miles in Dakota and Ramsey Counties; well drained with many small depressions and steep slopes; issues include wildlife habitat and water recreation. See the Lower Mississippi WMO News for more information on the Lower Mississippi River watershed.

• Lower Minnesota River Watershed District - located along the Minnesota River in several counties; issues include dredging, spoil site acquisition, and bank erosion control.

• Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization encompasses 335 square miles and is the dominant watershed in the county containing 21 communities in Dakota and Scott Counties; 90% of the area is agricultural but rapid urban development is occurring in the upstream reaches; portions of the river are designated trout streams; issues include storm water runoff quality and quantity, and trout habitat protection.
  • Vermillion River Watershed Monitoring Network
    
  • 2007 Vermillion River Headwaters Groundwater Recharge Area Inventory and Protection Plan
    
  • 2004 Vermillion River Water Fecal Coliform Bacteria Study
    

• North Cannon River WMO encompasses 150 square miles in southern Dakota County. This WMO lies at the northern (downstream) end of the much larger Cannon River Watershed. Over 90% of the land is agricultural with concerns focused on streambank erosion, agricultural runoff, and ground water contamination. See the North Cannon News for more information on the North Cannon River watershed. For information on the entire Cannon River Watershed please visit the Cannon River Watershed Partnership.
  • 2006 Cost Share Press Release
    
  • Chub Creek Watershed Assessment 1999 - 2000
    
  • North Cannon River Watershed Management Plan - 2003