Our History

BCWMC's History

In 1969, the Bassett Creek Flood Control Commission was formed by adoption of a Joint Powers Agreement between the nine communities in the Bassett Creek Watershed. As required by the Joint Powers Agreement, the Bassett Creek Flood Control Commission adopted the Watershed Management Plan for Bassett Creek in February 1972.

In accordance with provisions of the 1982 Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act, the Bassett Creek Flood Control Commission revised its Joint Powers Agreement and created the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission (BCWMC). The BCWMC adopted its Bylaws on November 15, 1984, and they were revised in 1996, 1997, 2001, and July 25, 2012. The Bassett Creek Watershed Management Plan was prepared by the BCWMC in 1986 and adopted on December 18, 1986. The plan was approved by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources on July 26, 1989.

The original mission of the BCWMC was to control flooding and to maintain and enhance the quality of the surface and ground water resources in the watershed. Since then, most of the flooding problems have been resolved by the BCWMC and member cities and the primary emphasis of the BCWMC is currently improving surface water quality. Partner with member communities in the management of surface and groundwater for the benefit of citizens within the watershed and region.