Watershed districts are special
government entities in the
U.S. state of
Minnesota that monitor and regulate the use of
water in
watersheds surrounding various
lakes and
rivers in the state. The districts cover the
natural regions of the watersheds, rather than
politically defined regions and thus may have boundaries that cross jurisdictions. They are run by a board of managers, who are appointed by
commissions in the
counties within the districts.
The districts were first authorized by Minnesota state legislation in 1955. As of November 2016 there are 45 districts in the state. District boards coordinate activities with the state, as well as with the counties,
cities, and
soil and water conservation districts within the watershed districts. In comparison with public bodies in other countries, watershed districts are most similar to the
internal drainage boards of
England and
Wales, Waterschappen of the
Netherlands, and Consorzi di bonifica e irrigazione of
Italy.