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
Lower Minnesota River Watershed
Middle Minnesota River Watershed
Pomme de Terre River Watershed
Upper Minnesota River Watershed
Yellow Medicine River Watershed