Minnesota River Corridor Management Plan

The Minnesota River is a dynamic, complex natural system that supplies water for recreation, agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and transport. Upstream pressures result in many impacts seen in the Lower Minnesota River watershed, including a decrease in water quality, an increase in flooding, the loss wetlands, and continuous change in the landscape. The Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) is located downstream on the Minnesota River. As such, the LMRWD has been experiencing a significant impact on water quality at the watershed caused by negative effects of upstream pressures.

The Minnesota River Corridor Management Plan was developed to examine the pressures on the river from inside the watershed and expand to consider areas upland of the watershed. The project established a multipurpose corridor plan that will serve as a guiding document for all political jurisdictions and agencies. The plan was developed over two years, and in the fall of 2022, the LMRWD hosted an open house to collect final input and lead a river paddle. Input was incorporated into the final document.

The outcome is a shared vision for maximizing public benefits, including: (1) creating greater understanding of the Lower Minnesota River Corridor and its landscape, (2) describing a desired future for the river and discussing how change in the surrounding landscape can help attain this future, (3) suggesting a structure or framework to implement the vision, and (4) identifying shared public values that form the basis of the project. Identified potential management strategies were designed to improve water quality, integrate wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation, and create a framework for more sustainable economic development within the watershed.

Lower Minnesota River Corridor Management Plan (2022)