Public Water Access Sites in Minnesota
Go to Section:- Overview
- Data Quality
- Data Organization
- Coordinate System
- Attributes
- Distribution - Get Data
- Metadata Reference
Section 1: Overview
Originator:Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Title:
Public Water Access Sites in Minnesota
Abstract:
This geodatabase contains authoritative GIS data for MNDNR Parks and Trails-administered public water access sites. It also contains information about free public water access sites administered by other organizations.
This geodatabase was derived from master data within the Parks and Trails Enterprise Information System. This information was validated and deemed current and authoritative at the time it was last updated, which occurs periodically as determined by the subject matter expert.
Purpose:
This dataset serves as an authoritative GIS resource for public water access sites in Minnesota that are administered by MNDNR Division of Parks and Trails as well as many that are administered by other organizations.
Time Period of Content Date:
03/31/2026
Currentness Reference:
Time Period of Content date indicates the date which the user can be confident of accuracy and completeness of the dataset.
Progress:
Complete
Maintenance and Update Frequency:
As needed
Spatial Extent of Data:
Bounding Coordinates:
-97.23
-89.53
49.37
43.5
Place Keywords:
Minnesota, MN
Theme Keywords:
inlandWaters, Facilities, Transportation, Water, structure, public water access, boat launch
Theme Keyword Thesaurus:
ISO 19115 Topic Category
Access Constraints:
Use Constraints:
Disclaimer: The public water access dataset is a work in progress and errors may exist. Information in this dataset is deemed reliable, but this is not guaranteed.
Contact Person Information:
Nancy Stewart,
Water Recreation Consultant
Minnesota DNR - Parks and Trails
500 Lafayette Rd
Saint Paul,
MN
55155
Phone: 651-259-5616
Email: nancy.stewart@state.mn.us
Associated Data Sets:
Section 2: Data Quality
Attribute Accuracy:
Attribute data have been quality-checked and verified as accurate and consistent by Divisional staff.
Logical Consistency:
Data integrity has been verified by divisional staff.
Completeness:
Data are deemed complete over the current extent as of the date of publication.
Horizontal Positional Accuracy:
Data were collected using either GPS or heads-up digitization.
Vertical Positional Accuracy:
NA.
Lineage:
This geodatabase was derived from master data within the Parks and Trails Enterpise Information System.
Section 3: Spatial Data Organization (not used in this metadata)
Section 4: Coordinate System
Horizontal Coordinate Scheme:
Universal Transverse Mercator
UTM Zone Number:
15
Horizontal Datum:
NAD83
Horizontal Units:
meters
Vertical Datum:
Vertical Units:
Depth Datum:
Depth Units:
Section 5: Attributes
Overview:
Detailed attribute definitions appear in the Table Detail section of this metadata record.
Detailed Citation:
None.
Table Detail:
water_access_sites - Attribute table. Field names refer to the actual names of fields in the table; displayed field names (aliases) are defined in the field definition where applicable.| Field Name | Valid Values | Definition | Definition Source |
|---|
| OBJECTID | - | System-defined unique identifier. | ESRI |
| Shape | - | Feature geometry. | ESRI |
| STABLE_PROD_GUID | - | Unchanging unique identifier for use in Parks and Trails Enterprise Information System. | |
| SHAPE_COLLECTION_METHOD | enumerated | Method by which point location data was collected. | |
| 1 | Heads-Up Digitizing | |
| 2 | Global Positioning System | |
| 3 | Unknown | |
| ACCESS_NAME | - | Name of Water Access Site. | |
| ADMINISTRATOR | - | Name of Organization (or MN DNR Parks and Trails Management Unit) that administers the Water Access Site. | |
| COUNTY_NAME | - | County a Water Access Site is associated with for management purposes. | |
| DIRECTIONS | - | Directions to the Water Access Site; usually from the nearest major road. | |
| LAUNCH_TYPE | enumerated | Manner in which boats are launched at the Water Access Site. | |
| 1 | Carry-In | |
| 2 | Trailer Launch | |
| 3 | Unknown | |
| RAMP_SURFACE | enumerated | Surface type at the launch location at the Water Acccess Site. | |
| 2 | Gravel | |
| 6 | Concrete Plank | |
| 7 | Concrete Slab | |
| 8 | Concrete Slab/Plank | |
| 9 | Natural | |
| 10 | Steps | |
| NUMBER_OF_RAMPS | enumerated | Number of boat ramps at the Water Access Site. | |
| <null> | Number of ramps unknown | |
| 0 | No ramps exist | |
| [Positive integer] | Number of ramps | |
| NUMBER_OF_DOCKS | enumerated | Number of boat docks at the Water Access Site. | |
| <null> | Number of docks unknown | |
| 0 | No docks exist | |
| [Positive integer] | Number of docks | |
| NUMBER_OF_PARKING_LOTS | enumerated | Number of parking lots at the Water Access Site. | |
| <null> | Number of parking lots unknown | |
| 0 | No parking lots exist | |
| [Positive integer] | Number of parking lots | |
| PARKING_LOT_SURFACE | enumerated | Surface of the primary (if more than one) parking lot at the Water Access Site. | |
| 1 | Natural | |
| 2 | Grass Over Gravel | |
| 3 | Gravel | |
| 4 | Asphalt | |
| CAR_PARKING_SPACES_NON_ADA | enumerated | Number of car-only parking spaces at the Water Access Site that are not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). | |
| <null> | Number of spaces unknown | |
| 0 | No spaces exist | |
| [Positive integer] | Number of spaces | |
| TRAILER_PARKING_SPACES_NON_ADA | enumerated | Number of car-with-trailer parking spaces at the Water Access Site that are not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). | |
| <null> | Number of spaces unknown | |
| 0 | No spaces exist | |
| [Positive integer] | Number of spaces | |
| ACCESSIBLE_PARKING_SPACES | enumerated | Number of parking spaces at the Water Access Site that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). | |
| <null> | Number of spaces unknown | |
| 0 | No spaces exist | |
| [Positive integer] | Number of spaces | |
| NUMBER_OF_TOILETS | enumerated | Number of restrooms at the Water Access Site. | |
| <null> | Number of toilets unknown | |
| 0 | No toilets exist | |
| [Positive integer] | Number of toilets | |
| DOWNSTREAM_RIVERBANK_SIDE | - | Site location facing downstream (for Water Access Sites on MN State Water Trails only). | |
| RIVER_MILE | - | River mile of site (for Water Access Sites on MN State Water Trails only). | |
| STATE_WATER_TRAIL | - | State Water Trail accessed by the site (for Water Access Sites on MN State Water Trails only). | |
| DOW_LAKE_ID | - | MN DNR Division of Ecological and Water Resources' Lake ID of the lake that is accessed by the Water Access Site (for those Water Access Sites that are located on lakes). Original data source: Division of Ecological and Water Resources. | |
| LAKE_NAME | - | Name of the lake associated with Water Access Site (for those Water Access Sites that are located on lakes). Original data source: MN DNR Division of Ecological and Water Resources. | |
| ALTERNATE_LAKE_NAME | - | Alternative name of lake associated with Water Access Site (for those Water Access Sites that are located on lakes). Original data source: MN DNR Division of Ecological and Water Resources. | |
| SHORELINE_PERIMETER_MILES | - | Shoreline perimeter miles including island shoreline; rounded to the nearest mile. Data were not calculated by GIS. Original data source: MN DNR Division of Ecological and Water Resources. | |
| WATER_BODY_ACRES | - | Surface area of waterbody in acres; rounded to the nearest acre. Data were not calculated by GIS. Original data source: MN DNR Division of Ecological and Water Resources. | |
| UNIQUE_SWAS_ID | - | Unique identifier. This ID is distinct from the LAM Program Project Code. | |
| LAM_PROGRAM_PROJECT_CODE | - | Program Project Code assigned to State Water Access Site by DNR Division of Lands and Minerals. This field is populated for State-owned lands only; no code exists for sites owned by other organizations. | |
| ALERTS | - | Time-sensitive public visitor message pertaining to this site (such as construction, closures, etc.). | |
Section 6: Distribution
Publisher:
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Publication Date:
09/23/2014
Contact Person Information:
Zeb Thomas,
GIS Data Systems Coordinator
Minnesota DNR - GIS
500 Lafayette Rd
Saint Paul,
MN
55155
Phone: 651-259-5637
Email: zeb.thomas@state.mn.us
Distributor's Data Set Identifier:
struc_water_access_sites
Ordering Instructions:
Please visit the download page for this dataset on the Minnesota Geospatial Commons website using the web link below (Online Linkage). Online Linkage: I AGREE
to the notice in "Distribution Liability" above. Clicking to agree will either begin the download process, link to a service, or provide more instructions. See "Ordering Instructions" above for details.
Section 7: Metadata Reference
Metadata Date:
06/27/2025
Contact Person Information:
John Lawton,
IT Specialist
Minnesota DNR - Parks and Trails, Information Systems Team
500 Lafayette Rd
Saint Paul,
MN
55155
Phone: 651-259-5580
Email: john.lawton@state.mn.us
Metadata Standard Name:
Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines
Metadata Standard Version:
1.2
