Stormwater Utility

Stormwater System Information


Most of the city's stormwater is directly discharged to the Mississippi River, Sauk River or wetlands; some runoff is routed through treatment processes including stormwater ponds. The city's stormwater system contains approximately:

  • 142 stormwater treatment ponds
  • 212 outfalls
  • 190 miles of pipe
  • 250 water quality treatment structures
  • 360 infiltration/filtration treatment practices
  • 7,800 catch basins
Water flowing along street and curb into stormdrain

Flooding or Draining Issues

Periods of warm(er) weather have been melting snow across the City. 

If you notice urgent street flooding or draining issues please call us;

During daytime hours, call the St. Cloud Public Works Department 320-650-2900.

During weekend and evening hours, please call the non-emergency St. Cloud Police dispatch number 320-251-1200.

To find your nearest stormdrain please use the interactive storymap below. 

Find Your Stormdrain

Look for nearby stormdrains using the embedded map below, or search for an address using the stormdrain story map here.

For more information about how the City of St. Cloud designs its stormwater system, watch the video below.

Regulatory Background


Water quality deterioration throughout the United States prompted the US-EPA to mandate stormwater management programs. As a result, the City of St. Cloud must comply with federal stormwater requirements through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The City is responsible for maintaining compliance with Minnesota’s General National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit for Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s).

To comply with the NPDES Permit, the City is implementing a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP). The City's SWPPP Document includes best management practices (BMPs) designed to reduce negative impacts on water quality to the maximum extent possible. The City of St. Cloud's Stormwater Utility has an important role in maintaining and improving water quality and regulatory compliance.

The SWPPP includes 6 categories:

  • Public Education and Outreach
  • Public Participation and Involvement
  • Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
  • Construction Site Runoff Controls
  • Post-Construction Stormwater Management
  • Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

Stormwater System Use Code

The City of St. Cloud's Stormwater System Use Code (PDF):

  • Establishes the Stormwater Utility
  • Prohibits illicit connections and discharges
  • Regulates land disturbing activities for erosion and sediment control
  • Establishes legal authority for inspections, monitoring and enforcement of local, state and federal laws

Stormwater Management Plan
St. Cloud's Stormwater Management Plan (PDF) serves as a comprehensive guide to managing the City's stormwater discharges in a cost effective manner.