Major Watersheds Overview

Minnesota River Basin
The Minnesota River Basin is divided into 12 hydrologic major watersheds and 13 management watersheds. The Minnesota River Basin drains nearly 20 percent of Minnesota as well as portions of South Dakota, Iowa and North Dakota. The basin encompasses roughly 15,000 square miles (10,849,466 acres) and contains all or parts of 37 counties in Minnesota. Agricultural activities account for more than 92 percent of the land use in the basin. The river flows through some of the richest agricultural land in the state.

Select a Major Watershed from the map or list below.

Blue Earth River Watershed

Chippewa River Watershed

Cottonwood River Watershed

Hawk Creek Watershed

Lac qui Parle River Watershed

Le Sueur River Watershed

Lower Minnesota River Watershed

Middle Minnesota River Watershed

Pomme de Terre River Watershed

Redwood River Watershed

Upper Minnesota River Watershed

Watonwan River Watershed

Yellow Medicine River Watershed