The Root River Watershed is 1,317,760 acres in size and contains portions of 6 counties, Dodge, Fillmore, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, and Winona. Winona County comprises 127,823 acres, or 9.7% of the Root River Watershed.

Planning of the Root River One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) began in June of 2014 as a pilot watershed plan for the Board of Water & Soil Resources’ (BWSR) One Watershed, One Plan program.  Final approval of the comprehensive plan occurred on December, 14, 2016.