About the URRWMO

The URRWMO is a joint powers organization including the Cities of St. Francis, Oak Grove, Nowthen, Bethel, and portions of East Bethel. A small corner of Ham Lake also falls within the URRWMO. The WMO Board is made up of representatives from each of these cities.

This organization seeks to maintain the quality of area lakes, rivers, streams, groundwater, and other water resources across municipal boundaries. Resources of particular importance to the URRWMO include the Rum River, Seelye Brook, Ford Brook, Cedar Creek, and numerous ditches that drain to the Rum River. This stretch of the Rum River is designated as a state Scenic and Recreational Waterway. Lake George and East Twin Lakes, the primary recreation lakes in the watershed, are also of high priority, in addition to many smaller lakes and wetlands.

Work of the URRWMO is guided by its 10-year Watershed Management Plan. That work primarily includes water quality and hydrology monitoring, public outreach, and water quality improvement projects. A number of important tasks are completed by the member cities, including permitting and stormwater system maintenance.

The newspaper of record for the URRWMO is the Star Tribune. Public notices will be published there in addition to on this website