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Blue Earth County approves impoundment and sediment-storage project for County Ditch 56
Summary
After an engineers report and a brief public hearing with no public speakers, the Blue Earth County Drainage Authority approved a plan to impound and divert portions of County Ditch 56. The project is grant-funded and designed to capture sediment and reduce flood peaks into Lake Crystal.
Blue Earth Countys Drainage Authority voted June 10 to approve a draft findings order granting a petition to impound, reroute and divert portions of County Ditch 56.
ISG engineer Chuck Bridal presented the final engineers report and described a roughly 7-acre easement to create a storage basin with about 5.5 acres of storage and wetland area. Bridal said the basin will store about 51 acre-feet of water during flood events and is expected to capture just under 350 tons of sediment annually. He told the board the design includes a four-foot-deep sediment trap that staff expect to clean on a two- to five-year cycle and a weir and outlet culvert to control flows and reduce downstream peak rates.
—We've been awarded a grant for $600,000,— Bridal said during the presentation, and the engineer noted the project cost estimate at about $662,000 with the grant covering most of the work. He said the city of Lake Crystal and the Crystal Waters group have committed local contributions and that the project requires prevailing wages because of the grant funding.
Commissioner Kevin moved to accept the engineers findings and approve the draft order to grant the petition, including the branch 1 reroute and any necessary easements; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Kevin noted the project —has got a win three ways,— citing sediment capture, storage for flood prevention and long-term savings in maintenance.
The chair opened a public comment period and asked anyone wishing to speak to state their name and address for the record; no members of the public spoke. With public comment closed and easements to be finalized, staff said they could bid the work soon, complete plan details with the SWCD and target construction after harvest this year or next year depending on scheduling.
Why it matters: County Ditch 56 drains roughly 9,000 acres into Lake Crystal. County and project partners say the basin will reduce sediment loads to the lake, cut maintenance needs for the open ditch and lower flood elevations upstream and downstream by modelled fractions of a foot. The boards approval allows staff to proceed toward contracting and easement signatures.
What comes next: Staff will finalize plans, secure required easements, and proceed to bidding. Construction timing will depend on final permitting, easement acquisition and farming schedules.
Sources: Engineer presentation by Chuck Bridal (ISG) and the Drainage Authority agenda packet.
