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1.3 The Rice Creek Watershed
<br />Watershed Districts are special purpose units of local government whose boundaries
<br />follow those of a natural watershed. The Rice Creek Watershed District was established
<br />in 1972 to conserve and restore the water resources of the District for the beneficial use
<br />of current and future generations. It is a governmental organization managed by a Board
<br />of Managers appointed by the county commissions of Anoka, Ramsey, and Washington
<br />Counties.
<br />The Rice Creek watershed drains portions of Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington
<br />Counties. The watershed occupies portions of Arden Hills, Birchwood, Blaine,
<br />Centerville, Circle Pines, Columbia Heights, Columbus, Dellwood, Falcon Heights,
<br />Forest Lake, Fridley, Grant, Hugo, Lauderdale, Lexington, Lino Lakes, Mahtomedi, May
<br />Township, Mounds View, New Brighton, New Scandia Township, Roseville, St.
<br />Anthony, Shoreview, Spring Lake Park, White Bear Lake, White Bear Township and
<br />Willernie.
<br />Rice Creek's principal tributaries are Hardwood Creek, which drains an area of 44 square
<br />miles in the cities of Hugo, Forest Lake, and Lino Lakes; and Clearwater Creek which
<br />drains a 62 square mile area of White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, Hugo, Lino
<br />Lakes, and Centerville. Both tributaries join Rice Creek in Anoka County as part of the
<br />Rice Creek Chain of Lakes.
<br />The Rice Creek has its source at Clear Lake in the City of Forest Lake and flows
<br />generally southwestwardly through Anoka and Ramsey Counties, through the cities of
<br />Columbus, Lino Lakes, Circle Pines, Shoreview, Arden Hills, Mounds View, New
<br />Brighton and Fridley. It joins the Mississippi River at Manomin County Park in Fridley.
<br />The creek drops about 84 feet along its course, with most of the drop occurring in the 8
<br />miles upstream of its mouth.
<br />About 10 percent of the watershed's surface area is occupied by lakes, the largest of
<br />which are White Bear Lake and Bald Eagle Lake. About 13 percent of the watershed
<br />consists of wetland areas.
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