Drainage / Public Ditches

The first public ditches in Pope County were established in the very early 1900’s to benefit the public.  A Petition for Public Ditch was brought forward for each ditch by the public.  This began an administrative process which ended with an Order Establishing Public Ditch.  There are 18 public ditches within Pope County.

Some duties include:

• Inspects drainage ditches for damage, overgrowth, blockage or other problems.
• Coordinates repairs, preventative maintenance and related procedural requirements with contractors, engineers, attorneys and county staff.
• Conducts public hearings and meetings to identify potential issues and solutions.
• Recommends ditch assessments to County Board(Drainage Authority) and County Auditor to ensure sufficient funds are attained for repairs and drainage related matters.
• Work with related agencies to ensure the best and most efficient services possible.

County Drainage Maps

• Pope County Drainage Ditch Map
• Public Drainage Benefit Areas Map (County Ditches)
• Public Drainage Benefit Areas Map (Judicial Ditches)
• Pope County Watershed Areas Map

Informational Links

• MN Statute 103E. Drainage 
• MN Public Drainage Manual 
• MN DNR Buffer Mapping 
• MN Board of Soil & Water (BWSR) Buffers 
• MN Drainage Viewers Association 
• Pope Soil & Water 
• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 
• Chippewa River Watershed 
• Sauk River Watershed 
• North Fork Crow River Watershed 
• Middle Fork Crow River Watershed 
• Pope DNR Water Maps 
• Pope DNR Waters Inventory