Wetlands Data for Minnesota

Aerial photo of wetland

Minnesota retains about 10.6 million acres of wetlands, according to a 2010 report. This is about half the acreage that existed before European settlement. Despite laws protecting wetlands, they continue to suffer degradation and loss. Wetland managers recognize the need for better information about wetland location, type, quality, and conversion.

Information on wetland delineations in Minnesota has historically been provided by the National Wetlands Inventory. This important dataset, however, suffered from some interpretation errors and is increasingly out-of-date. Hence state and federal wetlands managers are improving and updating wetlands mapping and tracking.

Tables below link to wetlands GIS data (NWI), information on state wetlands legislative and management programs, and information about programs to track wetland quality and status and to update wetland maps.

Categories

Hydrography: GIS and mapping data of wetlands

Quality: Wetland water quality data

General: Miscellaneous wetland data and information about wetland mapping updates

 

Hydrography

Name Source* Geographic Area Scale Time Period Data Type
Description
National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) of Minnesota

USFWS, DNR, LMIC

 Statewide 1:24,000 1974-1978 Vector GIS
National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) data are records of wetlands location and classification as defined by the USFWS. LMIC converted the Minnesota NWI files to ARC/INFO coverage format and edge-matched the files. In cooperation with the DNR and USFWS, LMIC revised the legends to correct errors and to add items for individual portions of the NWI code. DNR added translations from the Cowardin wetland classification system to the Circular 39 wetland classification system.
National Wetlands Inventory Update (Minnesota)

DNR, USFWS, partners

 Statewide 1:24,000 2010-2016 Vector GIS
The Minnesota update of the National Wetland Inventory is being conducted by a multi-agency collaborative coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Updating the NWI was one of three key recommendations from an interagency task force that developed the Comprehensive Wetland Assessment Mapping and Monitoring Strategy (CWAMMS). With funding from Minnesota's Environmental Trust Fund, this project is now underway. Mapping is expected to begin in 2010 and be completed in 2016. The site includes a link to the federal Wetlands Mapping Standard endorsed in July 2009, and to the Wetlands Status and Trends program.
Wetlands Online Mapper

USFWS

 Nationwide Various Ongoing Web Application
This is the webpage from which the user may launch the Wetlands Online Mapper on the USFWS website. The application allows the user to zoom and pan on the map display as well as query, identify, select and extract wetland information. The National Wetlands Database contains NWI data where it exists, NWI updates where they exist, and other wetlands data that meets new national standards for wetland delineation. The national online mapping system does not reflect any Minnesota corrections.

Download Seamless NWI Wetlands Data

USFWS

 Nationwide Various (at 24k and 100k Quad level) 1977 Web Application, Vector GIS
This application allows the user to download wetland polygon data for selected USGS 24K or 100K quadrangles within a given state. The national download site does not reflect any Minnesota corrections.
National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) USFWS Nationwide N/A Current Text

National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) data are records of wetlands location and classification as defined by the USFWS. This is the main webpage on the USFWS website for NWI information. It contains links to their wetlands mapper, federal mapping standards, various program and status reports and other wetlands data.
DNR 100K Wetlands

DNR Fish and Wildlife, USGS

 Statewide 1:100,000 2002 Vector GIS
These wetlands are derived from 1:100,000-scale USGS Digital Line Graph (DLG) Hydrography data and contain standard polygon features representing wetlands, swamps, marshes, bogs and intermittent hydrography features, as represented on the USGS 1:100,000-scale topographic map series.
MMCD Map Application MMCD 7-county Twin Cities Metro Area Various Current Web Application

This interactive web application displays mosquito breeding sites with their recent inspection and treatment records. The user may zoom and pan on the map and select individual breeding sites to obtain information. Other layers may be loaded into the map display for reference such as administrative, transportation, hydrography and aerial photography.

 

Quality

Name Source* Geographic Area Scale Time Period Data Type
Description
Wetlands in Minnesota PCA Statewide N/A Current Text

PCA's main webpage for wetland water quality. It contains links to water quality standards, monitoring and assessment information.
Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) BWSR Statewide N/A 1991 Text with links to PDFs

This webpage has links to various documents that describe Minnesota's Wetland Conservation Act (WCA). These include links to a Fact Sheet, WCA Assessment Information, WCA Manual, Wetland Delineators Certification Plan, and Chapter 8420 of the Minnesota Rules which implements the WCA.

 

General

Name Source* Geographic Area Scale Time Period Data Type
Description
Minnesota Comprehensive Wetland Assessment Monitoring and Mapping Strategy (CWAMMS)

PCA

 Statewide N/A Current Text
The CWAMMS program is a framework for measuring progress toward the state's policy of increasing the quality and quantity of wetlands. This webpage has links to the different aspects of CWAMMS such as surveying, accounting and updating the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) of Minnesota.

DNR Wetlands Information

DNR

 Statewide N/A Current Text
This is the DNR's main webpage for wetland information. It contains links to wetland management programs, types and benefits of wetlands, wetlands to visit, and wetland regulation and taxation.
Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources: Wetlands

BWSR

 Statewide N/A Current Text
This webpage contains links to information on wetland assessment, conservation, and restoration as well as permit applications, key contacts and native wetland vegetation. BWSR is the state administrative agency for soil and water conservation districts, watershed management organizations and districts, and county water managers.
Wetland acreage by county

DNR

 Statewide N/A 1999 PDF
This document lists the acreage estimates per county of the 8 wetland types of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Circular 39 along with other classifications such as riverine and industrial/municipal wetlands and non-wetland areas such as deep water and upland.

*Source abbreviations:

  • BWSR = Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources
  • DNR = Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (may be followed by the division name, e.g., "Waters" for "Division of Waters")
  • LMIC = Minnesota Land Management Information Center (now MnGeo)
  • MMCD = Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (Twin Cities metropolitan area)
  • PCA = Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
  • USFWS = U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
  • USGS = United States Geological Survey
Geographic Data Clearinghouse