DNR-backed wetland impoundment approved; Murray/Lyon joint authority partially abandons and reroutes parts of Judicial Ditch 27
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Summary
The Murray–Lyon Joint Drainage Authority adopted a Findings and Order granting the Minnesota DNR's petition to impound and reroute portions of Judicial Ditch 27 to create two wetlands (one about 3 acres, a second about 0.65 acres), concluding the changes will not impair drainage and will provide wildlife habitat and flood mitigation.
A joint drainage authority for Murray and Lyon counties on Feb. 17 adopted a Findings and Order granting the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' petition to modify, impound and partially abandon sections of Judicial Ditch (JD) 27 in Lake Sarah Township.
Engineer Shaun Luker of Bolton & Menk presented the engineer's report and told the board the project replaces existing six- and eight-inch tiles, reroutes portions of Branch A in a shorter, steeper alignment and abandons small sections of Branch A‑1 and Branch B to feed two proposed wetlands — a roughly 3-acre wetland to the north and a 0.65-acre wetland to the southeast. Luker's hydraulic analysis, the Drainage Authority record shows, found no loss of outlet or adverse hydraulic impact to adjacent landowners and concluded the project will improve downstream water quality and increase temporary flood storage.
The Drainage Authority's written order grants the DNR petition under Minnesota Statutes §§ 103E.227 (impoundment/reroute) and 103E.806 (partial abandonment), subject to conditions. Required conditions include final plan and specification approval by the engineer and drainage staff, recorded easements and rights-of-way giving the Drainage Authority access to modified alignments, payment of project costs by the petitioner prior to construction, coordination of site meetings with drainage staff for independent observation, reconnection of any private tile severed by construction, and delivery of as‑built record drawings upon completion.
Commissioner Roger Zins moved to adopt the Findings and Order; Commissioner Dennis Welgraven seconded. The record shows a roll-call style affirmation with five yeas and zero nays (yeas: Woelber, Carlson, Welgraven, Zins, Crowley). The order directs the Drainage Authority to update original drainage records to reflect the partial abandonments and reroutes and assigns routine inspection, maintenance and repair responsibility for the project to the petitioner and future property owners, while the Drainage Authority retains jurisdiction over the modified portions of JD 27.
The authority's written findings cite anticipated public and private benefits — wildlife habitat, downstream water-quality improvements and flood‑storage capacity — and state the proposed modifications will not deprive affected landowners of drainage benefits. The order also notes the petitioner must secure any required permits and easements and must coordinate construction to permit independent observation by Drainage Authority staff.
The adoption concludes the joint authority's public hearing process on this petition; the Drainage Authority's certified order was filed with the Murray County Auditor‑Treasurer on Feb. 17, 2026.