Watersheds – DNR Level 9

This data layer indicates the boundaries of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) Level 9 Watersheds. It was developed by the MN DNR. A watershed is a natural landscape unit in which all of the precipitation that falls flows to the same outlet or basin. The MN DNR Level 9 Watersheds were created using an automated process to delineate catchments for all lakes that are at least 10 acres in area and their associated stream segments. There are nearly 150,000 Level 9 Watersheds in the entire state. They largely nest within the Level 8 Watersheds, but there are some discrepancies due to the automated nature of their development. The MN DNR also refers to these as AutoCatchments. Watersheds are an important natural boundary. The quality of the water collected within or flowing out of them reflects the health of the entire watershed. Any activities in the landscape unit must be viewed within the context of the watersheds they are located within.