It all runs downhill
Local communities share water resources
The Duluth stream watersheds cover about 152 square miles of area, and over half (56%) is outside of the city of Duluth.
The watersheds cross two counties, Carlton (for just a piece of the Mission Creek watershed), and St. Louis.
Three cities and 7 townships contain parts of these watersheds as well. Duluth itself covers about 65 square miles,
all, of course, within the Duluth stream watersheds.
The next largest area is in Rice Lake Township,
which covers about 20 square miles of the Duluth stream watersheds.
The two other cities are Hermantown and Proctor, which contain
about 9 and 3 square miles of these watersheds, respectively.
29 of Duluth's streams originate/have their headwaters in areas
outside of Duluth, including all of the trout streams. Duluth
is downstream from all of these other cities and townships.
Several of the watersheds cross numerous political
boundaries. The Lester River crosses four townships before reaching
Duluth. Kingsbury Creek starts in Hermantown, flows through Midway
Township, past downtown Proctor, and then finally into Duluth.
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Communities |
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Duluth, MN
official website
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Duluth is a port town on the shores of Lake Superior. It offers 42 named streams in the city limits,
many with trails along their corridors.
-more-
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Cloquet, MN
unofficial website
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Cloquet became a city in 1904. Today about 11,000 people call
it home on the banks of the St Louis River just off Interstate
35, about a half hour west and south of Duluth. Often referred
to as the City of Wood, this colloquial name reflects the city's
three major employers that produce a variety of wood products.
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Hermantown, MN
official website
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Most of Hermantown (63%) is drained by the Midway River and its branch, Rocky Run.
All of Hermantown drains into the St. Louis River, part through the Cloquet River to the north,
part through the Midway River, and part through the streams draining through Duluth:
Miller, Merritt, Keene, and Kingsbury Creeks. Hermantown contains significant portions
of these Duluth Streams. 60% of the Keene Cr watershed, 31% of the Kingsbury Watershed,
14% of Merritt Cr, and 23% of Miller Creek are within Hermantown.
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Proctor, MN
official website
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Proctor contains two watersheds: Kingsbury Creek, covering about 2/3rds of the town, and Knowlton Creek,
covering the southern 1/3rd of town. Proctor contains a significant portion of both of these watersheds,
as well, with about one quarter of the entire Kingsbury Creek watershed located within the town of Proctor,
and 40% of the Knowlton Creek watershed within the town.
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Duluth Area Townships |
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Duluth Township, MN
official website
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Located on the North Shore of Lake Superior, half
way up the northshore between Duluth and Two Harbors. Its website
accesses its comprehensive land use plan, current zoning ordinances
and links to other activities.
Land Use / Stormwater Planning Tools
for Duluth Township Landowners
Duluth Township Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
More about SWPPPs
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Midway Township, MN
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Midway Township, with a population of about 1500, is located east of Proctor and Duluth and
just south of Hermantown. The township has many water resources including the Midway River, which
leads to the St. Louis River. Mission, Stewart, Sargent & Kingsbury Creeks get their start in
or flow through the township.
Midway Township Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
Public Notice of Request for Comments
More about SWPPPs
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Normanna Township, MN
official website
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Northwest of Duluth township, it has a population
of 637 and an abundance of water sources in the form of wetlands,
marshes, small lakes, and streams.
The photo is of Normanna town hall and VFD Hall. Here are a few familiar
photos of the area.
Normanna Township Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
More about SWPPPs
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Rice Lake Township, MN
official website
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Rice Lake Township lies astride Rice Lake Rd. and Martin Rd just north of Duluth's eastern neighborhoods
between Canosia and Lakewood Townships. It has a population of over 4100 and seeks to continue as a friendly,
quiet, family-oriented community, and is rich in streams and wetlands. The upper portion of Amity Creek
flows through the township.
Contact: office@ricelaketownshipmn.org
Rice Lake Township Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
More about SWPPPs
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Duluth-Superior Area Colleges |
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Lake Superior College
official website
water resources
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LSC offers extensive pre-baccalaureate majors for students interested in transferring to senior educational
institutions as well as over 75 certificate, diploma and degree programs in career/technical fields. The Continuing
Education/Customized Training division collaborates extensively with area businesses and industry to design specialized
opportunities for entry-level and advanced education. While typically offered in traditional classroom and lab settings,
LSC also offers over 150 courses in an individualized learning format, through interactive television, and through the
Internet. A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan is in preparation.
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University of MN, Duluth
official website
water resources |
The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) is a comprehensive regional university offering 12 bachelor's degrees
in 75 majors, and graduate programs in 20 different fields. It's central campus consists of more than 50 buildings
on 244 acres overlooking Lake Superior and also has more than 10 remote sites around Duluth and northeastern Minnesota.
During the school year UMD could be considered the third largest city in northeastern Minnesota. The University of
Minnesota is considered a municipality and has its own police departments, building code office, and storm water
pollution prevention programs.
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