Rain gardens and stormwater projects · Minnesota

RCWD Water Quality Grants

Run by Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) with county conservation districts

SeasonalPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
25-50% of total project cost up to $10,000; highly beneficial projects up to 75% of eligible materials and contracted labor, up to $10,000
Maximum
$10,000 per household
Who qualifies
Land or homeowners in the district, including residential homeowners.
Where
Land and homeowners within Rice Creek Watershed District, including residential homeowners.
Status
Seasonal. Per 8/18/2026 notice no site visits for Ramsey and Washington counties for 2026, inquiries for 2027 accepted; Anoka County 2026 applications still accepted.
Type of payment
Cost share
Official program page

What you do

Build a rain garden, shoreline stabilization, shoreline/prairie restoration, wetland restoration or pervious pavers on your property after a conservation district site visit.

Requirements

  • Free site visit with county conservation district; staff decide which sites qualify
  • Water Quality Plan with cost estimate created with county staff
  • Design may be by a private designer but county must review it
  • Citizen Advisory Committee review and Board approval
  • Payment up to Board-approved amount on receipts/invoices

The plan or design it asks for

Water Quality Plan with cost estimate prepared with county conservation district staff; design reviewed by county.

Make the plan in Sow

Draw the layout and build the plant list

Sow places plants on a photo of your yard and keeps a list of everything you add. Check RCWD's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Schedule a free site visit with your county conservation district
  2. 2Work with staff to create a Water Quality Plan and cost estimate
  3. 3Choose projects and complete the application and design
  4. 4Committee review; staff notify decision within 10 days
  5. 5Build with your contractor
  6. 6Submit receipts or invoices for payment

Timing and deadlines

Decision notice within 10 days of committee review

Not published

Combining it with other programs

Not combinable with Mini-Grants for same project

Sources

Last checked October 17, 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.

Sow is not affiliated with any of these agencies or utilities. Amounts and rules change, often at the start of a fiscal year, so confirm the details on the official page before you start a project. How we research these programs

More programs near the same area

  • Status not postedPlan required

    RWMWD Stewardship Grants

    Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD)

    Covers 50 to 100 percent of project cost depending on practice and location; homeowners up to $15,000; requests over $5,000 need Board approval. Separate Maintenance Grant up to 50% of annual maintenance, max $7,500 over five years and $1,500 per year.

    Up to $15,000 per household

  • OpenPlan required

    CRWD Native Landscape and Clean Water Project Grants

    Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD)

    Native Landscape Grants: one-time awards up to $1,000. Clean Water Project Grants: typically $500 to $200,000. Maintenance Grants $200 to $2,000 per year for eligible past projects.

    Up to $1,000 per household

  • Seasonal

    RCWD Mini-Grants

    Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD)

    Reimbursement up to $500 per project (cannot exceed actual cost; own labor not reimbursable)

    Up to $500 per household