Drainage authority approves Houston Engineering feasibility report for County Ditch 76A; initial fee $28,000
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Summary
The Drainage Authority approved a ditch repair report and feasibility study proposal from Houston Engineering for County Ditch 76A, addressing erosion at a 1975 pump station; the authority authorized public works to execute the agreement and discussed a potential slide-gate incentive to isolate pumps for winter.
Saint Peter, Minn. — The Nicollet County Drainage Authority approved a repair report and feasibility analysis for County Ditch 76A after Public Works staff described significant erosion around a pump station installed in 1975.
Public Works (Nathan) said heavy rainfall in August eroded berms and exposed weaknesses in overflow pipes and pump connections, causing landowners to request action. Houston Engineering (Chris Otterness) prepared a proposal to analyze system capacity, establish allowable pump volumes, recommend repair options (1–3 pumps depending on capacity), and prepare a formal feasibility report to present at a landowner informational meeting. Nathan said Houston Engineering’s initial phase fee for the study is $28,000.
The drainage authority approved the repair report (25-032) and directed the public works director to be the county’s authorized representative to execute the agreement. Staff also provided a construction update: a contractor has been on-site building the control-building cover and coordination continues on a replacement slide gate; staff said if the gate can be installed to allow isolation of the pump structure by late fall, the contractor would receive an incentive payment, otherwise pumps may have to be removed for winter.
The repair work will proceed through a feasibility stage and, if landowners later petition for a ditch improvement, the feasibility work will still be useful as a next step, staff said.
