Coon Creek Watershed District (CCWD)

What Coon Creek Watershed District (CCWD) does

Coon Creek Watershed District (CCWD) is a special-purpose local government unit organized under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 103D, providing water resource management services across central Anoka County, Minnesota. Its mandate is flood damage reduction and surface water pollution control, executed through regulatory permitting, public drainage ditch maintenance (approximately 125 miles of public ditches), water quality monitoring, habitat restoration projects, and cost-share grant programs. The district serves property owners, developers, and seven member municipalities (Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Ham Lake, and Spring Lake Park) plus Anoka County, acting as the statutory interface between state and federal water quality standards (including NPDES MS4 compliance) and local land-use activity.

CCWD's core operational capabilities center on an online permitting portal backed by GIS/ArcGIS mapping for drainage and erosion-control permitting, regulatory inspection of public and private drainage infrastructure, and a portfolio of best management practice (BMP) deployments including biochar filters, iron-enhanced sand filters, and corridor restorations. It coordinates with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), and adjacent watershed management organizations, and operates under a renewed NPDES MS4 permit (effective August 6, 2021 through November 15, 2025). Technical components are conventional for a small government watershed district and do not include any disclosed AI/ML or proprietary data platforms.

CCWD is funded through an ad valorem property tax levy, permit and inspection fees, and competitive state and federal grants. Governance is provided by five elected board managers supported by a small professional staff of administrators, engineers, and inspectors. As a statutory subdivision, CCWD does not face commercial competition within its jurisdictional boundary, and its service territory has been progressively refined through BWSR-approved boundary amendments in 2011, 2013, and 2023. A new 2024-2033 Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan is in development to replace the prior plan and reframe priorities for the coming decade.

Name

Coon Creek Watershed District (CCWD)

Legal name

Coon Creek Watershed District

Website

https://cooncreekwd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Coon Creek Watershed District is a Minnesota statutory watershed district managing flood control, water quality, and drainage infrastructure across central Anoka County, serving seven member cities, Anoka County, and local property owners via permitting, ditch maintenance, BMP deployment, and cost-share grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (924110), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950), Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

Stormwater Management & MS4 Compliance Services (BPALAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG), Roadway Drainage & Stormwater Works (Culverts, Ditches, Catch Basins) (IMAFAEAG)

Keywords

• Watershed management services
• Stormwater permitting
• Flood control infrastructure
• Water quality monitoring
• Ditch inspection maintenance

Headquarters

HQ city

Ham Lake, Minnesota

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

Revenue model

1. Property Tax Revenue: CCWD receives funding through property taxes from residents within the watershed district boundaries, which constitutes the primary operational funding.
2. Permit Application Fees: Fees collected for permit applications including stormwater, erosion control, wetlands, floodplain, and drainage permits. Fee structure includes base fees plus additional per-lot or per-acre charges.
3. Grants: CCWD receives grant funding for water education programs and water quality improvement projects from state and federal agencies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Coon Creek Watershed District (CCWD) is a special-purpose local government unit organized under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 103D, managing water resources across central Anoka County. The District delivers flood prevention, stormwater regulation, water pollution reduction, ditch inspection and maintenance, water quality monitoring, and permit processing for land development activities affecting wetlands, floodplains, drainage, and erosion.

Product overview

Coon Creek Watershed District (CCWD) is a local government agency providing watershed management services in central Anoka County, Minnesota. The organization operates as a service-based entity offering regulatory services (permit processing, SWPPP compliance), environmental monitoring (water quality testing, ditch inspections), grant programs (water quality and education grants), and digital platforms (online permit portal, issue reporting system). CCWD also manages multiple environmental restoration projects including biochar/iron-enhanced sand filters, stream corridor restorations, and stormwater infrastructure improvements. Educational outreach through K-12 programs, volunteer opportunities, and citizen advisory committees complements the district's core mission of flood prevention and water pollution reduction. The organization does not offer commercial software products but provides government services including planning tools (WRAPS reports, comprehensive plans) and community engagement programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Inspects 20% of public ditch system annually for obstructions and maintenance needs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2012MPCA is the state agency administering the NPDES permit program. CCWD must comply with MPCA's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. MPCA provides regulatory framework and oversight for water quality standards and watershed restoration efforts.
• Anoka Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2012Partnership for watershed management and conservation efforts. Representatives from Anoka Conservation District serve on CCWD's Citizen Advisory Committee and Technical Advisory Committee.
• Wenck and AssociatescoreTechnology or Integration · 1 December 2012Engineering consultant for CCWD providing technical expertise in water resource management, TMDL studies, and watershed planning.
• Board of Water & Soil Resources (BWSR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2012State agency providing oversight and approval for watershed district boundary changes, comprehensive plans, and governance. BWSR issued expansion orders for CCWD in 2011 and 2013.
• City of AndovercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner within the watershed district. Andover city staff serve on CCWD's Technical Advisory Committee. CCWD coordinates on stormwater management, flood prevention, and water quality projects.
• City of BlainecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner within the watershed district. Blaine water resources staff participate in CCWD technical committees. Multiple CCWD projects located in Blaine including Pleasure Creek filter projects.
• City of Coon RapidscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor municipal partner. Coon Rapids city staff serve on TAC. CCWD conducts corridor restoration projects in Coon Rapids including Lower Coon Creek Corridor Restoration and Woodcrest filter project.
• City of Ham LakecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost municipality for CCWD headquarters. Ham Lake city staff participate in watershed planning. In 2023, boundary amendments were coordinated between CCWD and Sunrise River WMO within Ham Lake.
• City of FridleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner within the watershed district. Fridley environmental planner and city engineer participate in CCWD advisory committees.
• City of Spring Lake ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner within the watershed district. Spring Lake Park city engineer consultant serves on CCWD's Technical Advisory Committee.
• Anoka CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government partner. Anoka County Board of Commissioners appoints CCWD Board of Managers. County Highway Engineer serves on CCWD advisory committees. County provides administrative support and coordination.
• Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTAC members include city engineers and water resources staff from member municipalities: Dave Berkowitz (Andover), Mark Hansen (Coon Rapids), Stefan Higgins (Blaine), Tim Himmer (Coon Rapids), Jim Kosluchar (Fridley), Dave Krugler (Ham Lake), Chris Lord (Anoka Conservation District), Joe MacPherson (Anoka County), Ed Matthiesen (Stantec/CCWD Engineer), Jamie Schurbon (ACD). Provides technical review and recommendations for CCWD projects.
• Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCWD's CAC includes representatives from member municipalities, Anoka Conservation District, county board, and community organizations. Meets monthly to advise the Board on operations and priorities.
• University of Minnesota ExtensionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtension service provides educational resources and expertise on lawn care, irrigation systems, and water conservation practices that CCWD references in its homeowner education materials.
• Minnesota Department of AgricultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency providing pesticide health and safety information that CCWD references in its contaminants of emerging concern education materials.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Lower Minnesota River Watershed District: MN watershed district governing water resources across a multi-jurisdictional service area, mirroring CCWD's structure of 103D authority, permit fees, and TMDL implementation. Comparable in scope and operating model to CCWD.
• Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek Watershed District: Minnesota watershed district operating under MS 103D with nearly identical statutory authority, providing stormwater, flood prevention, and water quality services to suburban communities. Direct peer given overlapping regulatory mandate, service catalog (permits, grants, education), and metro-area context.
• Mississippi Watershed Management Organization: Hennepin County watershed organization with comparable urban/suburban stormwater mandate, MS4 compliance focus, and permit/dredging operations. Highly analogous service model under MS 103B/103D for the Twin Cities metro context.
• Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District: MN watershed district providing similar lake/water-quality monitoring, permitting, and cost-share grant programs to member cities. Direct peer under MS 103D with overlapping offerings including citizen advisory committees and education programming.
• Nine Mile Creek Watershed District: Hennepin County-based MN watershed district operating under nearly identical statutory framework, with comparable permitting, monitoring, restoration, and education service lines for suburban communities. Direct peer in governance structure and service menu.
• Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization: Joint powers watershed organization in Ramsey County providing similar stormwater, water quality, and lake management services. Comparable in mission and small-staff operating model focused on a defined sub-watershed.

Emerging players

• Anoka Conservation District: Anoka County soil and water conservation district with overlapping education, conservation, and grant administration scope. Direct strategic partner with CCWD that delivers adjacent conservation services (not direct substitute) within the same geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCEhA-CDxMwh4XgmI54fXCJQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/CoonCreekWD
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/coon-creek-watershed-district
• Instagraminstagram.com/cooncreekwd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Coon Creek Watershed District (CCWD)