Water Resources

Golden Valley's water resources include Bassett Creek and the lakes, ponds, and wetlands in the Bassett Creek watershed, along with the City's storm sewer system. Golden Valley proactively manages its water resources to enhance and maintain the quality of surface and ground water. 

Bassett Creek Watershed

Bassett Creek flows into Golden Valley from the west and meanders through the city to the east. To prevent flooding, the City checks the creek for debris that will restrict the flow. Certain areas along the creek are in the flood plain and will rise in flood conditions.

What is a watershed?


Video credit: Battle River Watershed

  1. Living In A Watershed

A watershed is an area where stormwater runoff goes to the same place. No matter where you live, you are in a watershed. In Golden Valley, nearly all the water runoff drains into Bassett Creek. The Bassett Creek Watershed is one of 46 major watersheds in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

To picture a watershed, think of the entire surface area of Golden Valley as the top of a funnel. All the water that falls onto the surface of Golden Valley, through precipitation or through intentional  activities like lawn watering, enters the top of that funnel.

As rain, melting snow, and other clear water runs down the funnel it moves over pavement, streets, rooftops, and through private and public lawns. On its way down the funnel, the water collects anything stuck to the sides of the funnel (soil, leaves, grass clippings, pet waste, oil, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, litter, etc).

This water may go through lakes, ponds, streams, underground pipes connected to storm drains, or seep through the soil and travel underground. But no matter how diverse its course, almost all water that enters the top of the funnel--the surface of Golden Valley--exits, with everything it has picked up, into Bassett Creek.

This water is not treated before it is returned to the environment, but devices such as storm water ponds help filter sediment and pollutants before the water reaches natural waterways. 

To learn more, watch the following Minnesota Pollution Control Agency video:

  1. Managing A Watershed
  1. Maintaining The Storm Sewer System
  1. Programs
  1. How Property Owners Can Help
  1. Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination (IDDE)