Anoka County received the “Best of Category” award for their Water Resources GIS (Geographic Information System) computer application by the National Association of Counties (NACo). “These recognitions honor the power of innovation in the hands of our employees,” said Anoka County Board of Commissioners Chair Rhonda Sivarajah. “Their time, talent, and ideas allow us to achieve our mission every day to serve citizens in a respectful, innovative and fiscally responsible manner.”

The Anoka County Water Resources GIS Application makes aerial photos and information about the county’s wetlands, ditches, soils, flood zones, culverts, land ownership, and watercourses accessible electronically. The project required the scanning of more than 5,000 historical ditch records, including ditch profiles, maps, correspondence, and legal documents. The water resources information provides a one-stop shop for citizens, businesses, and government agencies to conduct ditch research, all without having to contact the county.

Future plans are to incorporate private and non-county ditch data into the application.