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Drainage board will investigate private culverts restricting flow into lake channel; staff authorized to get cost estimates
Summary
Property owner Robert Gu asked the board to address sedimentation and shallow canals caused by two metal culverts that outlet into a channel near his Lake of the Woods property. The board voted to have staff investigate capping or removing the culverts and to provide cost options.
Robert Gu told the Marshall County Drainage Board his canal at Lake of the Woods has filled with sediment and vegetation, leaving only inches of depth in places. Staff presented photos showing two metal outlet pipes (one about 24 inches and one about 48 inches) that discharge from the Embacoontz/Amacoontz Ditch into the lake-side channel adjacent to Gu’s property.
Gu said he discovered the severity of the issue after winter drawdown and that the culverts appear to be restricting flow, holding sediment in the canal and reducing navigable depth. Staff reported no clear record of the origin of the pipes and said the culverts appear to act as a restriction rather than a beneficial outlet for the ditch. Board attorney Sean Cerisi confirmed the drainage board has statutory authority to remove obstructions from a county ditch or cap them if the board determines they obstruct flow, but that work would generally require property-owner permission when the structure is on private crossings.
Board members moved and seconded a motion to have staff obtain options and cost estimates to cap or otherwise address the two culverts and to bring that information back to the board. The motion carried by voice vote. Craig said the ditch fund has money; the board directed staff to seek the most cost-effective option first and return with options and pricing for both culverts. The board did not authorize immediate removal; it authorized a study and cost estimate for the next meeting.
