All stormwater in New Hope is routed to various stormwater ponds, lakes, wetlands, and streams throughout the city. Because of the topography of New Hope, the city is divided into 12 different drainage areas called sub-watersheds. Each sub-watershed has several miles of pipes and structures to carry the stormwater to its destination. These pipes and structures are owned and maintained by the city. On an annual basis, the storm sewers are cleaned, inspected, and repaired as needed by staff members.
Storm drainage from roughly the southern one-half of New Hope is part of the watershed that ultimately flows into Bassett Creek. Runoff from the northern half of New Hope is part of the watershed that flows into Shingle Creek. Both watershed areas flow into the Mississippi River. New Hope participates with several other cities in two watershed management organizations - Bassett Creek Water Management Commission and Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission. Those agencies are the regional governing bodies that manage and protect the water resources within their watershed boundaries.