Watershed Assessment

The MWMO’s watershed assessment and research activities seek to develop a scientific base of knowledge that characterizes physical, chemical, cultural, historic, biological, social, economic, organizational and political resources of the MWMO to guide planning and management decisions in the watershed.

Projects

Watershed Modeling

The MWMO is in the process of developing comprehensive models for all of the subwatersheds within its boundaries. These models will be used to help identify the most effective locations in the watershed to implement both flood control and water quality improvement projects.

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Reports

Kasota Ponds Wetlands: Summary of MWMO Monitoring Activities 2008–2017
2019 (PDF, 4.6 MB, 52 pages)

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization has been monitoring the water quality of three wetlands, collectively called the Kasota Ponds, since 2008. The purpose of this report is to compile and summarize the data that have been collected from the Kasota Ponds wetlands thus far and to recommend future monitoring and/or restoration activities that could help improve the wetlands as a source of urban wildlife habitat.

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2018 Analysis of Runoff from Impervious Surfaces in Downtown Minneapolis
2018 (PDF, 3.4 MB, 66 pages)

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization and the University of Minnesota Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering investigated the impact of impervious surfaces stormwater runoff into the Mississippi River. The study focused on streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and rooftops located in the downtown Minneapolis area.

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Towerside District Stormwater System Phase I Report
2018 (PDF, 23 MB, 39 pages)

This is an analysis on the effectiveness and efficiency of the design and planning process for the Phase I Towerside District Stormwater System occurring between 2013-2016. Also included are proposed adjustments and recommendations to improve the design, planning, contractual and policy process on future projects. This project builds on the existing Green 4th Street concept design study in the heart of the Towerside Innovation District. This is a continuation of MWMO efforts, to utilize an integrated systems based approach to manage stormwater as an asset in a fully developed urban setting.

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Historic Waters of the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization
2011 (PDF, 200 MB, 192 pages)

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization requested the following historic study of the watershed to inform its planning and water resource management efforts. Results from this study are intended to provide a better understanding of the presettlement hydrology and ecology of the MWMO jurisdictional area and how alterations to the present day urban landscape have affected and are affected by natural features.

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A Guide to Bank Restoration Options for Large River Systems: Part II Bioengineering Installation Manual
2010 (PDF, 8 MB, 91 pages)

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization has developed a guidance document and planning software for bank restoration on large river systems. Physical characteristics of the riverbank, along with predicted shear stresses across a full range of flows, are used to classify and recommend bio-engineering applications that restore and protect the riverbanks of the Mississippi River.

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Big River Study Report
2008 (PDF, 12 MB, 165 pages)

The purpose of this report is to provide the MWMO with the information necessary to develop new monitoring protocols that will measure progress toward the above goals, given the findings (or gaps) in the hydraulic and pollutant mixing literature.

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A Mississippi Watershed Management Organization Watershed Assessment: Natural Resources Inventory and Minnesota Land Cover Classification System Mapping
2008 (PDF, 156 MB, 191 pages)

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization retained the services of the Hennepin County Department of Environmental Services in 2006 to conduct an assessment of the land cover and natural areas for the watershed and a defined extended study area outside of the boundaries of the aforementioned watershed.

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The Bridal Veil Creek Subwatershed Desk Study: A Mississippi Watershed Management Organization Watershed Assessment
2006 (PDF, 43.6 MB, 102 pages)

The purpose of this study was to undertake a desk review and analysis of all known prior hydrologic and drainage studies; environmental and biological inventories, histories, pollution and ecosystem studies and reports; and other relevant materials and information on the Bridal Veil Creek watershed.

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