Carnelian-Marine Watershed District Wetland Inventory

Carnelian-Marine Watershed District (CMWD) is located in the eastern Twin Cities metro area. It covers over 50 mi2 and includes the City of Stillwater and the St. Croix River. An intensive wetland inventory and function & value assessment was completed by SER for CMWD in a timely and efficient manner. Information obtained by SER is being used by CMWD in land use planning efforts.

SER personnel evaluated over 750 wetlands within this 50 mi² area in just over five weeks for the CMWD in 1996. This assessment included both an intensive wetland inventory and a function & value assessment. The inventory assessed wetland functions such as wildlife habitat, storm water attenuation, vegetative diversity, and aesthetics. The inventory data form, a condensed Minnesota Routine Assessment Method (MnRAM) form, was developed by SER to expedite data collection in the field and meet the specific needs of the CMWD. Wetlands were classified by type and assigned a quality ranking.

The CMWD is using the results of this and SER�s May Township inventory to plan for wetland protection and conservation in the face of expanding urban growth and development. Integrating wetland management into long-range land use planning will ensure protection of water quality for lakes, rivers, and streams. High quality water resources such as the St. Croix River and Square Lake will continue to provide recreational boating, swimming, and fishing to future generations.