Brown’s Creek Watershed District

Finding giant puffballs, swimming swans, and fall colors in Washington County’s “Legacy Lands”

By: angiehongmn October 12, 2026

Partners and Updates, Uncategorized, WildlifeBrown's Creek Watershed District, featured, Minnesota lakes, Mississippi River, St. Croix River, Washington County ParksLeave a Comment

Since 2006, Washington County’s Land and Water Legacy Program has helped to protect 1900 acres of land, including 328 acres at Big Marine Regional Park, 102 acres at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, and smaller additions at Cottage Grove Ravine, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, and Pine Point Regional Parks.

County funds also helped to establish Lumberjack Landing in Stillwater and Bayport Park, both of which are located on the St. Croix River, Oxbow Trails along Valley Creek in Afton (Belwin Conservancy), and Mississippi Dunes Park on the Mississippi River in Cottage Grove.

In Woodbury, the county’s Land and Water Legacy program even played a role in restoring La Lake to good health.

Caddisfly prints and bird costumes bring creativity to annual Brown’s Creek event

By: angiehongmn September 18, 2026

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatesaquatic macroinvertebrates, birds, Brown's Creek, Brown's Creek Watershed District, caddisfly, featured, Sustainable Stillwater MNLeave a Comment

When Brown’s Creek Watershed District hosts its annual Community Watershed Celebration & Bird Festival this Saturday (10am-1pm at Brown’s Creek Park in Stillwater), visitors will have the opportunity to take home something unique that they may not be expecting – their very own handmade caddisfly print.

If you really, really love birds, you can even dress up as your favorite bird and enter the second annual Bird Costume Contest. Costumes of all skill levels are welcome, from simple DIY outfits to elaborate feathered creations.

In addition to bug prints and bird costumes, the festival will include interactive stations led by local conservation groups, crafts, games, and interactive experiences designed to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. The event is free and easy to get to by bike, on foot, or by car.

Plants tell the story of a lake in recovery

By: angiehongmn July 23, 2026July 16, 2026

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Partners and Updatesaquatic plants, Brown's Creek Watershed District, featured, featuresd, lake restoration, Long Lake, Stillwater, stormwaterLeave a Comment

Between 1970 and 2002, Long Lake in Stillwater experienced a slow decline caused by farming, development, and stormwater runoff. Since then, the Brown’s Creek Watershed District, City of Stillwater, and local landowners have completed more that 100 projects to restore the lake to good health.

Brown’s Creek winds its way toward cleaner water

By: angiehongmn August 4, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Buckthorn, Keeping water clean, Local Achievements, Partners and UpdatesBrown's Creek State Trail, Brown's Creek Watershed District, featured, fishing, stream restoration, troutLeave a Comment

This summer, the Brown’s Creek Watershed District completes a large-scale stream restoration project, designed to reduce bank erosion, manage floodwaters during large rain events, and improve habitat for fish along a half-mile stretch of Brown’s Creek that flows between McKusick Ave. and the Brown’s Creek State Trail.

Members of the community are invited to view and learn about the Brown’s Creek stream restoration during a tour on Aug. 12 (6:30pm) and a community festival on Sept. 20 (10am-1pm).

Restoration work underway along Brown’s Creek in Stillwater

By: angiehongmn August 30, 2024

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Partners and Updates, WildlifeBrown's Creek Watershed District, featured, fishing, streams, troutLeave a Comment

Trail users and local residents can expect to see buckthorn and tree removal continuing into the fall. The watershed district will also work with Trout Unlimited and volunteers to plant native shrubs and trees in key locations along the stream next spring.

Trout and bird lovers unite

By: angiehongmn September 14, 2023

Partners and Updates, Wildlifebirds, Brown's Creek Watershed District, family event, fishing, Sustainable Stillwater, trout1 Comment

This Saturday, September 16, 10am-1pm, Brown’s Creek Watershed District and Bird City Stillwater (a workgroup of Sustainable Stillwater MN) will co-host a free, fun, family-friendly nature event designed to celebrate all things fin, feathers, and fur.

Turning Stormwater into a Resource at Applewood Hills

By: angiehongmn March 24, 2022March 24, 2022

Groundwater, Local Achievements, Water ConservationApplewood Hills Golf Course, Brown's Creek Watershed District, featured, golf, stormwater reuse, Washington CountyLeave a Comment

Washington County is working with the Brown’s Creek Watershed District and Applewood Hills Golf Course to design a stormwater reuse system that will collect runoff from Hwy 36 and Manning Ave. and use it for golf course irrigation. The project will reduce groundwater pumping by 7 million gallons per year and provide 30% of the irrigation needs for Applewood Hills.

Fifty-three Minnesota lakes and streams to be de-listed in 2022

By: angiehongmn November 18, 2021May 24, 2022

Keeping water clean, Local Achievements, Partners and UpdatesBrown's Creek Watershed District, Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District, clean water, featured, impaired waters, middle st. croix watershed management organization, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Valley Branch Watershed DistrictLeave a Comment

Local lakes scheduled to be delisted next year include East Boot (May Twp), Echo (Mahtomedi), Hay and Jellums (Scandia), Lily and South Twin (Stillwater), and Plaisted (Hugo).

A River Unites

By: angiehongmn September 16, 2021September 15, 2021

UncategorizedBrown's Creek, Brown's Creek Watershed District, featured, Mississippi RiverLeave a Comment

Though rivers have long been used as borders to divide one group of people from another, it also strikes me that they have the power to bring us together as well.

Brown’s Creek Watershed District Receives Two National Awards in 2020

By: angiehongmn October 27, 2020

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water clean, Local Achievements, Partners and UpdatesBrown's Creek, Brown's Creek Watershed District, clean water, designated trout stream, featured, troutLeave a Comment

This fall, the Brown’s Creek Watershed District will receive awards from the American Water Resources Association and the Water Environment Federation for long-term work to protect Brown’s Creek.