Streams

The main stem of Shingle Creek begins in Brooklyn Park in northwestern Hennepin County and flows generally southeast to its confluence with the Mississippi River in Minneapolis.  Shingle Creek is formed at the junction of Bass Creek and Eagle Creek, two of the major tributaries in the watershed.  The river is approximately 11 miles long and drops approximately 66 feet from its source to its mouth.  Palmer Lake is the only lake directly on Shingle Creek.

Several tributaries enter Shingle Creek as it flows through the watershed.  A major tributary is Ryan Creek, which originates as the outlet of Ryan Lake in Minneapolis and joins the main stem of Shingle Creek 1.2 miles upstream of the outlet in northeastern Minneapolis.  The three basins of Twin Lake drain most of the central portion of the watershed and outlet into Shingle Creek through a channel between Lower Twin Lake and Ryan Lake.  Bass Creek and Eagle Creek drain most of the southwestern part of the watershed before forming Shingle Creek.  Other tributaries include Pike Creek in Maple Grove and Twin Creek in Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center.

The central portion of the West Mississippi watershed is drained by Oxbow Creek.  The creek flows in an easterly direction and then heads north, eventually outletting to the Mississippi River.  The southern portion of the watershed is drained by the man-made Edinbrook/Century Channel, which runs from TH 169 to Mattson Brook and from there to the Mississippi River.