Water Resources

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:

• A Watershed Approach To Restoration And Protection: Part 1 - What Is A Watershed? (3:34)

As Golden Valley developed, more paved surfaces directed water to Bassett Creek, and flood control became an issue. In 1969, Golden Valley joined Plymouth, Medicine Lake, Robbinsdale, Crystal, New Hope, Minnetonka, St Louis Park, and Minneapolis to form the Bassett Creek Flood Control Commission. Its primary focus was to control flooding of Bassett Creek.

As environmental awareness grew over the years, water quality became an issue. In 1982, the State passed the Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act, which required that a water management organization be established for each watershed in the metropolitan area. In response, the Bassett Creek Flood Control Commission became the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission (BCWMC). 

Since its inception in 1984, the BCWMC has maintained two primary concerns: flood control and water quality management. It also regulates the surface water management plans of its nine member cities.

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

• A Watershed Approach To Restoration And Protection: Part 2 - How We Got To Where We Are (2:19)
• A Watershed Approach To Restoration And Protection: Part 3 - The Watershed Approach And 10-year Cycle (4:04)
• A Watershed Approach To Restoration And Protection: Part 4 - Getting Involved In The Process (5:34)

Stormwater runoff is directed to the storm sewer system through storm drains in and under the gutters (catch basins) of the street system. Golden Valley’s 90 miles of storm sewer pipes are closer to the surface (3 to 15 feet underground) than sanitary sewer or water pipes because the water they handle is continually flowing downhill to the nearest outlet (a pond, lake, river, creek, or wetland). The City's storm sewer system also includes around 1,000 catch basins (storm drains) and multiple stormwater ponds.

Video Credit: TAPP and City of Tallahassee, FL

To keep stormwater flowing smoothly, the City:

• cleans ponds
• cleans stormwater pipes, catch basins (storm drains), and outlets
• installs and cleans sump catch basins
• installs and cleans environmental manholes (which catch sediment while allowing stormwater to flow through)
• sweeps streets

Rear Yard Drainage Policy

The City's rear yard drainage policy allows property owners to petition for improvements to correct a problem drainage area. While the City provides property owners with technical assistance regarding the problem, it will not assist with the cost of any improvements. The City is only responsible for the drainage from the roadways and respective right-of-way. All costs associated with any improvements performed as a City project are assessed to each property contributing flow to the problem area.

Storm Drain Inlet Program

To prevent pollutants from entering the storm drain on your street, consider working to keep it clear of debris. Or, sign up to adopt a storm drain here.

Storm Drain Outlet Program

The best defense of water resources is to prevent pollutants from getting there, and storm drain outlets are the last frontier. If you live near a lake, pond, or stream with an outlet basin, perhaps this is where you can help most. City staff is available to assist, coordinate, and encourage volunteers to adopt certain storm drain outlets and to set up a system to notify the City of operation and maintenance concerns and illicit discharges.

Call Engineering staff at 763-593-8030 if you are interested in adopting an inlet or outlet.

Pond Adoption Program

Please call Engineering staff at 763-593-8030 for more information.

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP)

All communities with more than 10,000 people are federally mandated to obtain a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. They must also report annually how they are managing stormwater discharge to reduce sediment and pollution loading in natural receiving waters such as lakes, wetlands, and streams.

The process is part of the Clean Water Act, called the Phase II National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit, and it requires significant planning and implementation by the City, including an annual opportunity for public comment where the public can provide input on the City’s Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program. To learn more about the program, visit the links below:

• 2024 Stormwater Program Presentation (PDF)
• MS4 Permit Authorization (PDF)
• Best Management Practices (PDF)
• Standard Operating Procedures (PDF)
• Enforcement Response Procedures (PDF)
• Ordinances
  • Stormwater Management
  • Salt Storage
  • Animal Waste
• Inspection Forms (PDF)
• Maps (PDF)

You can help prevent a significant amount of run-off from entering the storm sewer system and ending up in Bassett Creek, Sweeney Lake, or the Mississippi River by:

• maintaining healthy lawns and not leaving debris or possible pollutants on lawns, driveways, or streets
• clearing out the gutter in front of your property when it gets clogged with leaves or debris
• participating in one of the City's storm drain adoption programs If you have a catch basin on your street or live near a lake, pond, or stream with an outlet basin

Video Credit: TAPP and City of Tallahassee, FL

Salt (Chloride) Use

In slippery Minnesota winters, safety is certainly the top concern, but over-salting sidewalks and parking lots doesn’t provide extra safety, it damages property and pollutes water. Learn more.

Sump Pumps

Sump pump systems are designed to capture surface or ground water that enters basements or crawl spaces and pump it away from the house. If you have a sump pump, make sure the discharge is directed outside your house and NOT into the sanitary sewer system. That’s called a cross connection, is a leading cause of inflow and infiltration, and results in higher sanitary sewer charges.

Illicit discharges include anything that enters a stormwater system that is not composed entirely of stormwater. They enter water bodies through direct connections (eg, wastewater piping connected to storm drains) or indirect connections (eg, cracked sanitary sewer systems, spills collected by storm drains, or paint or used oil dumped into a storm drain). The result is untreated discharges that contribute to high levels of pollutants, including heavy metals, toxins, oil and grease, solvents, nutrients, viruses, and bacteria.

Studies by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show that pollutant levels from illicit discharges are high enough to significantly degrade water quality and threaten aquatic, wildlife, and human health.

Detecting Illicit Discharge

While conducting their regular duties, City crews are always on the lookout for illicit discharges to local waters. They also conduct formal outfall inspections while performing other work. Employees who observe evidence of an illicit discharge collect information so appropriate action can be taken.

Citizens can help by learning as much as possible about what materials can go down storm drains and by being alert for potential illicit discharges to the storm sewer system. Every curb line is like a shoreline and needs to be treated the same. If you see something that looks out of place or notice illegal dumping, make sure to report it.

Reporting Illicit Discharge

Citizens who see illicit discharges can complete the IDDE reporting form or contact the water resources technician at 763-593-8044. If you witness illegal dumping, an emergency spill, or a situation that could immediately threaten life or public safety, call 911 immediately.

Quick response times are key to stopping pollutants, so promptly report any incidents as soon as you see them, including:

• murky water runoff
• an oily sheen on surface water
• dry weather flow
• unusual odors
• off color water
• residue left in the street after water has dried
• suspicious activity around storm drains

It’s important to collect as much information as possible at the time of initial observation, including potential sources, because of the likelihood that a discharge may be transitory or intermittent. Stopping illicit discharges will help secure a future of clean water for generations to come.