A bright, blue sky day looking out over the blue waters and lush green banks of the winding Zumbro River with the Rochester city skyline in the background.

Rochester Surface Water Management Plan Open House

The City of Rochester is developing a new Comprehensive Surface Water Management Plan to guide how stormwater, surface waters and groundwater in the City are managed and cared for over the next 10+ years, with an eye to ensuring the plan encompasses the City’s foundational principles and employs its strategic priorities.

You’re invited to attend a Community Open House where you can learn about the planning process, contribute feedback on the goals and strategies that have been developed to date, explore flood risk maps, and talk about your hopes and concerns for surface water management in the City with Rochester staff and plan consultants.

If your schedule allows, we encourage you to plan a picnic in the park, check out the Art4Trails tour around the Art Center, or walk/bike/roller skate on the waterfront trails!

Details about the event are below.

WHAT: City of Rochester Comprehensive Surface Water Management Plan Community Open House

WHEN: Thursday, April 27th 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Feel free to drop in when it’s convenient for you – you’re welcome to stay as little or as long as you like

WHERE: Rochester Arts Center, 30 Civic Center Dr SE STE 120, Rochester, MN 55904 (see Navigation and Accessibility below)

Please RSVP HERE to stay up to date on any changes, receive follow up communication, and add this event to your calendar.

For a preview of the planning process, information about our Zumbro River Watershed, and additional resources, please visit the plan website HERE.

We hope to see you there!

Navigation & Accessibility:

The Rochester Art Center is located on the Southeast end of the Civic Center, along the Zumbro River and Mayo Park.

Public Transit

The Art Center is located along a number of bus routes. Explore the routes with this interactive map or download the real-time tracking App.

Biking

The Art Center is located along Rochester’s extensive Trail System at Mayo Park. Bike racks are located in front of the Art Center.

Driving

Parking available at the Civic Center Ramp (FREE after 3pm and on weekends). Disability parking is available in front of the Mayo Civic Center.

Accessibility

Wheelchair and stroller accessible. Service animals are welcomed. For special arrangements call RAC at 507-722-2552.

 

A bright, blue sky day looking out over the blue waters and lush green banks of the winding Zumbro River with the Rochester city skyline in the background.
Rochester receives an average of 31 inches of rain and 44 inches of snow each year. Rain and snowmelt that falls on buildings, streets, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces cannot soak into the ground. Instead, this stormwater will run off the landscape into area waterways.  
Stormwater runoff does not go to the Water Reclamation Plant for treatment – rather, it runs to our rivers, lakes and streams, often without treatment. As stormwater moves across the landscape, it collects dirt, debris, and chemicals. This pollution is carried through storm sewers and ditches to our waterways. Untreated stormwater can be harmful to people and aquatic plants and animals. Your actions on the land have a great impact on the quality of our surface waters. Clean streets means clean streams!
As our community grows, so must or commitment to protecting and improving the quality of our water resources. Our lakes, rivers, and wetlands help make Rochester one of the nations’ most livable communities. Keeping our water resources clean and usable is in everyone’s interest.