About the Law

Minnesota's Drainage Law is applied throughout the state. It is also known as the "Drainage Code." It determines how privately-owned public ditches are managed.

Minnesota drainage law began with passage by the 1st Legislature of the State of Minnesota of “An Act to Regulate and Encourage the Drainage of Lands”, codified in Minnesota Statutes 1858, Chapter 128. Lands. Since that time, drainage law has evolved through numerous revisions and recodification, in response to experience with its use, case law, and the development of other state and federal laws. See “Minnesota Drainage Law, A Chronological Summary of Key Statute Titles, Numbers and Associated Headings (PDF)” for some pertinent history of drainage law development in Minnesota. Minnesota drainage law is currently found in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103E. Drainage

Minnesota Public Drainage Manual

The Minnesota Public Drainage Manual (MPDM) is a guidance document for administration of drainage systems established and maintained in accordance with Minnesota Statutes Chapter 103E Drainage. The MPDM was first published in 1991 in a hard copy, three-ring binder. A legislative appropriation from the Clean Water Fund in 2014 enabled the MPDM to be updated and republished in 2016 in an online wiki format that greatly improves electronic access, search capabilities and ease of future updates. The MPDM has multiple audiences, including Chapter 103E drainage authorities, drainage engineers, county auditors, attorneys, drainage inspectors, landowners, regulatory agencies, and other interested entities. The MPDM is a guidance document, not rule or law. Additional information about the MPDM, including the update and maintenance process is available in the introduction to the document.

Additional Information

The Minnesota State Law for Drainage may be viewed online. If you have questions about Benton County's public ditches, please contact Adam Ritsche, County Ditch Inspector by calling 320-968-5061 or email Adam Ritsche.  

Video Links

• February 8th, 2022, Recorded Landowner Meeting for County Ditch Benefactors