Watershed Districts have been given broad authorities, including the authority to:

• Adopt rules with the power of law to regulate, conserve, and control the use of water resources within the district.

• Contract with units of government and private and public corporations to carry out water resource management projects.

• Hire staff and contract with consultants.

• Assess properties for benefits received and levy taxes to finance district administration.

• Accept grant funds, both public and private, and encumber debt.

• Acquire property needed for projects.

• Acquire, construct, and operate drainage systems, dams, dikes, reservoirs, and water supply systems.

• Enter upon lands within and without the district to make surveys and conduct investigations.

Joint Powers Watershed Management Organizations have the authority to:

• Jointly or cooperatively manage or plan for the management of surface water in a watershed;

• Prepare, adopt, and implement a plan for the watershed;

• Review and approve local water management plans;

• Regulate the use and development of land in the watershed;

• Accept the transfer of drainage systems in the watershed, to repair, improve, and maintain the transferred drainage systems, and to construct all new drainage systems and improvements of existing drainage systems in the watershed;

• Adopt a budget and decide on the total amount necessary to be raised from ad valorem tax levies to meet the budget;

• Certify its budget with the auditor of each county having territory within the joint powers watershed management organization;

• File approved assessment statements with each affected county; and

• Other powers necessary to exercise authority, including the power to enter into contracts for the performance of functions with governmental units or persons.