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Water Protection
Current Updates
The City of Elk River has contracted with WSB Engineering to administer the local governmental unit (LGU) responsibilities of the Wetland Conservation Act, Floodplain, Shoreland and Buffer permits. Please contact Rebecca Haug, Sr. Project Manager, at 763.438.7475 or via email for information/assistance with these permits/issues.
For stormwater infrastructure related questions, please contact Ryan Sandhoefner at 763.635.1053 or Brandon Wisner at 763.635.1054.
| Description/ Information |
City Code | Applications/Permits | Miscellaneous Documents |
Contact Information |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floodplain | Maps are published by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which depict floodways, flood fringe, and general floodplain. Any work (terrain alteration, structural, etc.) within a floodplain is required to submit an application prior to work. Be sure to read what restrictions apply. | Determine restrictions within the Floodplain District | Floodplain Application | FIRM Maps | WSB Engineering's Sr. Project Manager, Rebecca Haug, at 763.438.7475 or via email. |
| Shoreland | If you own a lake or river lot and are planning on any alteration, please review city code and complete a shoreland permit. | Review city code regarding shoreland management | Shoreland Permit | WSB Engineering at 763.541.4800 | |
| Wetland | A wetland is a transition between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Wetlands often change with the seasons and may not be wet all the time. The main differences between them are depth of water and variety of vegetation. Any work expected within a wetland or within the 45-foot wetland buffer and buffer strip must be approved prior to work. If you plan to drain, fill, or create a wetland, you must apply first. | Review city code regarding wetland buffering requirements |
Wetland Conservation Act Application | N/A | WSB Engineering's Sr. Project Manager, Rebecca Haug, at 763.438.7475 or via email. |
Lake Orono
Lake Orono was formed in 1851 when the first dam was built for the milling industry in the City of Elk River. The City grew around the industry and has rebuilt the dam twice. Today, the Orono Lake Improvement District (OLID) along with the City of Elk River, and the Sherburne County Soil and Water Conservation District, continue to monitor the Lake for its continued recreational and aesthetic purposes.
The city has adopted the Orono Beach Policy for Water Quality Testing due to the high bacteria levels in the past. If you notice any minor illness after swimming in Lake Orono, please contact the City of Elk River at 763-635-1000. For more information on surface water quality in the state, search your lake or stream.
In the spring of 2018, Governor Dayton signed the bonding bill which included an appropriation of $1.5 million from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund to assist with the cost of the Lake Orono Restoration and Enhancement (LORE) project. In 1998, the lake was drawn down and sediment was removed by dredging. It was predicted that the lake would need to be dredged again in roughly 20 years. The lake was drawn down in fall of 2020 and sediment was removed over the winter months.
