Overall Goal
“The Chippewa River Watershed Project seeks to improve water quality and flooding problems within the Chippewa River watershed while promoting a healthy agricultural, industrial, and recreation-based economy for the region.”

Ten-Year Goals

• To achieve the highest level of water quality attainable for ecoregion streams
• To increase the number of watershed residents taking an active role in enhancing and protecting the Chippewa River
• To continue to have the watershed community of agencies and organizations bonded together as a group working toward the common goal of improved water quality
• To develop the Chippewa River as a major recreational resource within the Minnesota River Basin

Currently there are four full-time staff on board with the project.

Kylene Olson, Executive Director, provides overall coordination for the project and pulls together an inclusive advisory committee of local, state, federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and citizens. She oversees all the financial activity of the project. She is responsible for applying for and administering any grant monies received.

Paul Wymar, Watershed Scientist, heads up all the monitoring activities for the Chippewa River Watershed Project. He’s kept busy collecting water quality and water quantity data, coordinating the large Citizen Monitoring Network and analyzing data. He works hard to collect credible data that can be transformed into usable information for making informed land use decisions.

Jennifer Hoffman, Watershed Specialist, concentrates on education campaigns and special projects throughout the watershed. She convenes the Local Work Group and handles best management practices payments to landowners.  She works hard on creating flyers, pamphlets, presentations and displays that easily convey the watershed message. She targets students and landowners alike.

Madeline Dalton, Shakopee Creek Headwaters Project Watershed Specialist, oversees all the activities of this sub-basin. She is responsible for coordinating the partner committee, overseeing budgets, directing implementation activities, and collecting and analyzing water quality data.

Cooperating Partners
Benson Wastewater Treatment Plant, Chippewa County Commissioners, Chippewa County Land and Resource Management, Chippewa Soil & Water Conservation District, Douglas County Commissioners, Douglas County Land and Resource Management, Douglas Soil & Water Conservation District, Grant Soil & Water Conservation District, Kandiyohi County Commissioners, Kandiyohi County Water Plan, Kandiyohi Soil & Water Conservation District, Land Stewardship Project, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources-Divisions of Forestry, Fisheries, and Water, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Montevideo Wastewater Treatment Plant, Prairie Country RC&D, Pope County Commissioners, Pope County Environmental Services, Pope Soil & Water Conservation District, Stevens Soil & Water Conservation District, Swift County Commissioners, Swift County Environmental Services, Swift Soil & Water Conservation District, WesMin RC&D.