Minnesota's Stormwater Manual
Whether you’re new to stormwater or you’ve been working in the field for years, you’ll find the Minnesota Stormwater Manual has what you’re looking for.
The Stormwater Manual:
- Serves as a valuable resource for professional stormwater managers
- Welcomes newcomers to the stormwater field
- Provides practical stormwater management practices is reviewed and edited regularly
- Exists because of the continuing efforts of the Stormwater Steering Committee
Minnesota Stormwater Manual upgraded to wiki
The Minnesota Stormwater Manual is now available online. This online manual is in a "wiki" and offers quick ways to search for information, provide feedback to the MPCA, and update the contents. Check out the new Stormwater Manual wiki for the latest in stormwater management, including BMPs, models and regulations. Please note that the MPCA will maintain this old Stormwater manual webpage for approximately one month while people become accustomed to the new wiki. After that time, users will be redirected to the new site.
For additional information about stormwater management:
Stormwater Treatment - Assessment and Maintenance 
In this manual, you'll find effective evaluation measures for source reduction, checklists for visual inspections, simplified field measurements, and instructions for using simulated runoff and state-of-the-art monitoring. A number of case studies for a variety of BMP assessments are listed including the effects Minnesota's phosphorus fertilizer ban.
Archived Stormwater Manual
Please note that the old Stormwater Manual files are available below. These will no longer be available in a month. Please refer to the online Minnesota Stormwater Manual Wiki noted above.
The first half of the Manual is dedicated to the general Minnesota context for stormwater management. The second half of the manual, which includes many diagrams and formulas, is intended mainly for professionals—but homeowners should find useful content as well.
Stormwater Manual (Version 2)
Minnesota Stormwater Manual (file size = 25 MB - please note that this is a large file and may take some time to download.)
Engineering Details
The following AutoCAD engineering details are available as .dwg files for stormwater engineers. The details are also available in the Stormwater Manual as PDF files. The engineering details are intended as starting-off points for engineers—they do not accomodate site-specific conditions.
Bioretention BMPs
Bioretention BMPs. This file contains the following designs: Infiltration/Recharge Cross Section, Filtration/Partial Recharge Cross Section, Infiltration/Filtration Cross Section, and Filtration Only Cross Section.
Filtration BMPs
Infiltration BMPs
- Infiltration BMPs: This file contains the following designs: Infiltration Trench Cross Section, Infiltration Basin Plan, and Infiltration Subsurface Plan and Profile.
Pond and Wetland BMPs
- Pond and Wetland BMPs: This file contains the following designs: Pond Plan and Profile, Extended Detention Plan and Profile, Outlet Structure Details, and Shallow Wetland Plan and Profile.
Issue Papers
- Issue Paper A: Best Management Practices (BMP) List and Selection Matrix
- Issue Paper B: Precipitation Frequency Analysis
- Issue Paper C: Stormwater Regulatory Framework
- Issue Paper D: Unified Sizing Criteria for Minnesota (file size = 1.5 MB)
- Issue Paper E: Receiving Water Based Stormwater Criteria
- Issue Paper F: Stormwater Credits
- Issue Paper G: Cold Climate Considerations for Surface Water Management
- Issue Paper H: Potential Stormwater Hotspots, Pollution Prevention, Groundwater Concerns, and Related Issues
- Issue Papers I and J - BMP Fact Sheets and Engineering Specifications Part 1
- Issue Papers I and J - BMP Fact Sheets and Engineering Specifications Part 2
