Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs)

BMPs are control measures taken to address changes to the quantity and quality of urban water runoff that result from land use changes. Increased hard cover (e.g. parking lots, rooftops, roads) causes stormwater runoff to increase and allows stormwater to carry more pollutants to our lakes and rivers. BMPs, such as stormwater ponds, raingardens, and green roofs, reduce the risk of flooding by reducing the rate at which stormwater enters our storm sewer system and surface waters. BMPs also reduce pollutant levels in our water bodies by allowing pollutant-carrying sediments to settle out of the water and by removing excess nutrients through biological processes.

The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District regulates stormwater management for redevelopment and  new development projects through the MCWD Stormwater Managment Rule.  For many projects, permanent BMP's are required  to be installed and maintained.

BMP Inspection and Maintenance

All BMPs require regular maintenance to function properly. To ensure inspections and maintenance are performed, a Declaration and Maintenance Agreement (Word) is recorded with the county and tied to the property on which the BMP is located.  One of the requirements for nearly all BMPs within the MCWD is a yearly inspection. View instructions for filling out a Declaration and Maintenance Agreement (Word).

Different BMP's require varying levels of inspection expertise.  Depending of the type of BMP located on your property, a professional company may be required to perform inspections and maintenance.

To perform your own inspection, download and fill out your BMP Inspection Report, take pictures of the BMP, and e-mail to the MCWD Permitting Staff or mail to MCWD Permitting Department, 15320 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minnetonka, MN 55345.

If you have questions about your inspection and maintenance responsibilities, please contact MCWD Permitting Staff

Inspection Reports

• Raingardens, Filtration Practices, Infiltration Basins and Trenches, or Swales (PDF)
• Pervious Pavement (PDF)
• Stormwater Ponds (PDF)
• Underground Storage (PDF)

Inspection Guides:
Raingarden, Filtration Practices, Infiltration Basins & Trenches, and Swales Inspection Guide (PDF)	Pervious Pavement Inspection Guide (PDF)
Stormwater Ponds Inspection Guide (PDF)

Check Out the Following Fact Sheets to Learn More About Stormwater BMPs and BMP Maintenance

• Stormwater Best Management Practices (PDF)

• Rain garden Maintenance (PDF)

• Pervious Pavement Maintenance (PDF)

• Stormwater Pond Maintenance (PDF)

Additional Information on BMPs

• More information on how to conduct an inspection, check out this U of M website on Stormwater Inspections
• More information on Best Management Practices see the Minnesota Stormwater Manual