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VLAWMO was formed in 1983 to protect the Vadnais Lake watershed area in northern Ramsey County and a small portion of Anoka County, Minnesota. VLAWMO covers approximately 24 square miles in the northeast metropolitan area. The watershed is a Joint Powers organization that encompasses the City of North Oaks, and portions of the Cities of White Bear Lake, Gem Lake, Vadnais Heights, Lino Lakes, and White Bear Township.

Learn about watershed basics and the "watershed model" of water management.

VLAWMO's 24.2 square mile watershed includes 17 lakes, 1 creek, and over 1000 wetlands.

The Rain Barrel Grant Program funds up to two rain barrels per property. VLAWMO will reimburse 50% of the cost, up to $100 for each rain barrel.

Find the latest news and happenings at VLAWMO!

VLAWMO Landscape Grants support the installation of raingardens, smart irrigation, native plants, alternative turf, bioswales, bee lawns, and other stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs).

Information for schools, educators and students about how our watershed works and how we can keep our water resources healthy and clean.

VLAWMO offers opportunities to keep your community's water resources clean and healthy.

A shoreline restoration to stabilize erosion of the channel connecting Deep and Pleasant Lakes.

The VLAWMO Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan includes management standards and procedures for surface water, wetland, and groundwater issues.

VLAWMO implements a variety of improvement projects throughout the watershed, including stormwater treatments, rain gardens, restorations, and waterbody management.

The VLAWMO Board of Directors consists of one elected official from each of the six cities within the watershed. VLAWMO has a Technical Commission (TEC) with a citizen representative from each city. VLAWMO also has a staff of water resources professionals.

Join VLAWMO's community events and stay up to date on our board and technical commission meetings.

Community Blue uses partnerships to promote watershed stewardship, leadership, and education.

Tamarack Lake is located in Tamarack Nature Center in White Bear Township.

A rain garden located in the overflow parking lot of the Vadnais Heights Fire Station.

See below for reports, monitoring, and budget information.

VLAWMO has three grant opportunities to help property owners with projects that benefit water quality.

VLAWMO is celebrating the completion of 15-years of "anchors" - Sustainable Lake Management Plans and Reports that guide lake decision making and funding.

Find meeting minutes and agendas for VLAWMO's Board of Directors and Technical Commission (TEC) meetings.

Subscribe to our email newsletter - the VLAWMO Chronicle - to receive updates on projects, meetings, stories, regional watershed efforts, and more.

The Lawns to Legumes program... Link to external site.

VLAWMO has an extensive resource library of studies, reports, plans, guides, and more.

VLAWMO provides many opportunities to get involved in keeping our water resources clean and healthy, including grants, volunteer and service opportunities, and tools and programs.

VLAWMO facilitates the Wetland Conservation Act in its watershed. We provide permit information, resources, and planning assistance.

Maintain safe surfaces in the winter while reducing excess salt.

Amelia Lake has a surface area of 195 acres and a maximum depth of 4 feet.

Birch Lake has a surface area of 125 acres with a maximum depth of 7.4 feet.

The Lambert Creek subwatershed is the largest of VLAWMO's six subwatersheds. The headwaters of Lambert Creek - also known as County Ditch 14 - are both Whitaker Pond in White Bear Township and Goose Lake in the City of White Bear Lake. The Creek is 4.2 miles long and flows into East Vadnais Lake. The drainage authority designation for the Creek was transferred from Ramsey County to VLAWMO in 1986. Lambert Creek historically consisted of a network of wetlands, streams, and shallow lakes. From the turn of the century to the 1970's, this network was largely converted to agricultural ditches including five branch ditches. Some wetlands and shallow lakes such as Lambert Lake were intentionally drained in the pursuit of development. In the case of Lambert Lake, development efforts proved to be unsuccessful and the effort was abandoned. Today VLAWMO works closely with its municipal partners and member communities to maintain and retrofit this drainage system that was built for agriculture but now functions as an urban drainage system. Examples of these efforts include surveys, cleaning, bank restorations, floodplain and upstream storage improvements, and dredging when necessary. Visit our watershed history page for more on Lambert Creek and ditch history in the watershed. Lambert Creek's culverts and structures are too small for passage by small recreational watercraft.

Sucker Lake is a protected lake within the Vadnais-Sucker Regional Park and is part of the chain of lakes that connects the Mississippi River to East Vadnais Lake through the Saint Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS).

Pleasant Lake is one of two lakes classified as a deep lake in the VLAWMO watershed. It is a private access lake within the City of North Oaks, and part of the chain of lakes that connects the Mississippi River to East Vadnais Lake through the Saint Paul Regional Water Services.

The restoration of a portion of Lambert Creek from a straight, agricultural ditch to a meandering creek in Vadnais Heights.

A stormwater iron-enhanced sand filter at the intersection of 4th Street and Otter Lake Road in White Bear Lake.

A curb cut rain garden located off of the parking lot at Bridgewood Park in Vadnais Heights.

Using salt wisely in the winter

Multiple rain gardens and a prairie at the White Bear Montessori School in White Bear Lake.

A rain garden at the Vadnais Heights Elementary School.

A stormwater biochar filter adjacent to Whitaker Pond in White Bear Township.

A holding pond to support Lambert Creek in Vadnais Heights.

A large rain garden located at the City of Gem Lake's Heritage Hall in White Bear Township.

A bioswale in the parking lot of Central Middle School in White Bear Lake.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO) is in the process of developing a new 10-year Watershed Management Plan (WMP). VLAWMO’s current WMP expires on September 28, 2026. The new WMP will cover the timeframe of 2027-2036. Pursuant to MN Rules 8410, VLAWMO is requesting formal review of the draft WMP at this time.

2023 Annual Report

2022 Annual Report

A bioswale located at Westfield Park in Vadnais Heights.

2021 Annual Report

2 water control structures (weirs) on Lambert Creek at its intersection with Grass and Rice Lakes.

Discover tips and tricks for keeping water clean throughout the fall season.

2021 Annual Report Summary

A wetland restoration of a former agriculture ditch that flows into Wilkinson Lake in North Oaks.

Are you passionate about water? Curious about how you can make a difference? The Minnesota Water Stewards program may be a great fit for you!

2022 Annual Report Summary

When water pollution gets tough, the tough Get Gritty. Learn more about this giveaway and where to get your grit!

2023 Annual Report Summary

A curb cut rain garden located at Elmwood Park in Vadnais Heights.

Discover winter maintenance best practices that keep people and water safe.

2021 Internal Control Letter

5 curb cut rain gardens located on 4 streets in White Bear Lake.

Nominations are now open for VLAWMO's watershed awards!

2022 Internal Control Letter

A wetland restoration at the Rotary Nature Preserve in White Bear Lake.

2023 Internal Control Letter

A biofiltration basin (rain garden) at the south entrance to North Oaks off Highway 96.

2021 Financial Statement

A bioswale located at the White Bear Lake Sports Center off Highway 96 and South Birch Lake Boulevard.

2022 Financial Statement

2 pollinator gardens at the Historic White Bear Town Hall at Polar Lakes Park in White Bear Township.

2023 Financial Statement

A multi-year project removing invasive common carp from Pleasant Lake and connected waterbodies.

2021 Governance Communication

A restoration project including a native plant shoreline for enhanced habitat and bank stabilization.

2022 Governance Communication

An alum application project to reduce phosphorus levels in Tamarack Lake.

2023 Governance Communication

A resiliency study and implementation project for the East Vadnais Lake direct subwatershed.

A spent lime demonstration project on Oak Knoll Pond/Wood Lake in White Bear Lake.

A Lake Review for Pleasant Lake.

A Lake Review for Wilkinson Lake.

Birch Lake Review