Ditch law

Minnesota watershed governance

A digest of recent decisions on water law and watershed management by Minnesota state and federal courts.

Highlights

The Minnesota Court of Appeals has decided multiple cases arising under the Clean Water Act in the past year, most brought by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy.

County ditch authority may charge volume-based outlet fee for private discharge to drainage system.

Landowner exceeded "reasonable use" and triggered DNR permit when he constructed creek crossings that impounded water on his upstream neighbor.