Cannon River Watershed Partnership’s (CRWP) mission is to improve and protect the surface and ground water resources and natural systems of the Cannon River watershed.

CRWP was founded in 1990 through the hard work of concerned citizens and through support of the Nature Conservancy, Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. CRWP is a 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization (view the IRS non-profit confirmation letter here.) Projects are focused on education, on conservation, and on advocacy and outreach throughout the watershed and are carried out with the cooperation of volunteers, farmers, local businesses and industry, schools and colleges, and with the assistance of some 500 CRWP members.

The Cannon River watershed covers approximately 1,460 square miles of land, which drains into two main waterways, the Cannon and Straight Rivers. The Straight River joins the Cannon at Faribault, Minnesota and the Cannon joins the Mississippi River at Red Wing, Minnesota.

Major cities in the watershed include Cannon Falls, Faribault, Northfield, Owatonna, Red Wing, Waseca, and Waterville. Major highways included Interstate 35 that runs near the city of Ellendale in the southern portion of the watershed to Northfield in the northern portion of the watershed. State Highway’s 19, 3, and 60 combined run from east to west in the watershed starting near Red Wing, running through Northfield and Faribault, and exiting the watershed near Waterville.

There are two state parks within the watershed, Sakatah Lake State Park and Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. Combined, these parks cover over 1,500 acres of protected land in addition to state scientific and natural areas and federal waterfowl protection areas. Three main biking and jogging trails also run through the watershed, Cannon Valley, Mill Towns, and Sakatah trails.

CRWP’s office is located in Northfield, Minnesota in the James Farm building on the western edge of the St. Olaf campus. We currently employ five full-time staff members supported primarily through grant funding and through member and business contributions. The organization is directed by a 25 member Board of Directors which includes commissioners from watershed counties, representatives from watershed Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and citizen members.

Cannon River in Northfield, MN.

Straigt River near Faribault, MN.