Groundwater is an important resource in the Brown's Creek Watershed. Learn more about the connection to groundwater with this video by Anoka County: Our Groundwater Connection [external link].
Groundwater Dependent Natural Resources
Land-altering activities can impact groundwater resources and groundwater dependent natural resources. Without proper land-use and water resource management, the following impacts may occur:
- Reduced groundwater recharge
- Reduced groundwater quality
- Alterations to drinking water supply
- Alterations to the functions and values of groundwater dependent natural resources.
The Brown's Creek Watershed District contains groundwater dependent natural resources which have the potential to be impacted by increasing development pressure in the watershed. While some of these resources are well known to the public, for example Brown's Creek, there are other unique resources that had not been identified until the North Washington Groundwater Study and the Natural Resource Inventory were performed.
The impairment of Brown’s Creek, declining groundwater levels, and reduced baseflow in the creek highlight the need to protect, conserve, and utilize the region’s groundwater in ways that protect public health, support economic growth and development, maintain habitat and ecosystem health, and provide for recreational opportunities.
Groundwater Planning
The Washington County Groundwater Plan (2025-2035) lists several actions that should be addressed by Watershed Management Organizations (WMOs) including BCWD:
- Develop, through the Washington County Water Consortium, a county-wide groundwater monitoring plan and a data tracking and mapping system in coordination with WMOs.
- Collaborate with LGUs and WMOs to identify and preserve regional recharge areas. Encourage LGUs and WMOs to incorporate protection of recharge areas into plan updates.
- Work with Public Water Suppliers and WMOs to strengthen education efforts, and develop and distribute materials needed to inform home owners on where they get their water from, what source water protection is, and the efforts they can make to ensure that they do not contaminate their drinking water.
- Identify available partnerships and funding opportunities to address agricultural nutrient management (with) Watershed Districts/WMO programs.