Water Buffers – Watercourses and Public Ditches

This data layer identifies which Watercourses and Public Ditches are required by law to have permanent vegetation buffers or use alternative riparian water quality practices. It was developed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Overland transport of water pollutants such as soil and phosphorus can have negative impacts on the receiving body of water. Providing a buffer or implementing an alternative water quality practice can limit this transportation and can have positive effects on water quality. Buffers can also provide habitat for terrestrial animals and plants.