Skip to content
RPBCWD logo

Photo Contest

We want to see your best photographs that feature our lakes, streams, parks, wildlife, plants, recreation, or anything else outdoors that inspires you!

The Rules:

  • Photos must be taken within the boundaries of the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District in the last 3 years
  • Maximum 10 submissions per photographer
  • Photographer must know the names and contact info of any identifiable people in the photo
  • Images should accurately represent the reality of the photographed scene (No black & white or strong filters)
  • Photographers agree to grant the RPBCWD photo license of all submitted photos
  • Photos must be:
    • Horizontal orientation
    • At least 300 dpi
    • TIF, JPEG, or PNG format (digital photos only) 

Submissions are due September 30th, 2025 and will be judged by RPBCWD staff and its Citizen Advisory Committee. Winning photos will be featured in a 2026 wall calendar.

With questions or for alternate submission methods, contact Eleanor at emahon@rpbcwd.org.

Submit a Photo


2024 Winning Photograph by Rajendran Thiagarajan, Purgatory Creek

2024 Photo Contest Winners

  • Rajendran Thiagarajan, Staring Lake

  • Alyssa Essig, Staring Lake

  • Sharon McCotter, Lake Lucy

  • Robert Bastian, Staring Lake

  • Alyssa Essig, Red Rock Lake

  • Rajendran Thiagarajan, Eden Prairie

  • Matt Chirrick, Staring Lake

  • Alyssa Essig, Purgatory Creek

  • Yoko Yamasaki, Purgatory Creek

  • Jeremy Peyer, Duck Lake

  • John Cuoco, Riley Creek

  • Pete Rose, Rice Marsh Lake

  • Diana Hall, Lake Lucy


2023 Photo Contest Winners

  • Steven Harder, Kerber Pond

  • Terry Maxwell, Minnetonka

  • Josh Maxwell, Rice Marsh Lake

  • Gretchen Haynes, Staring Lake

  • Steven Harder, Kerber Pond

  • Gretchen Haynes, Riley Creek

  • Becky Cater, Bluff Creek Preserve

  • Diana Rose, Lake Riley

  • Riley Connell, Lake Ann

  • Deneena Hughes, Riley Creek Conservation Area

  • Deneena Hughes, Riley Creek Conservation Area

  • Riley Burns, Neill Lake

  • Becky Cater, Bluff Creek Preserve


The 2023 winning photographs were featured in our 2024 calendar. To grab a free calendar, click here to see locations around the District.

See all 2023 Winning Photos
See All 2021 Winning Photos