Landowners raise crop‑damage concerns as Monona County sets May hearing on Oliver Lake reclassification

Bo Fox, chairperson of the Monona County Board of Supervisors, explained that the board brought consultant Caleb Rasmussen, formerly with ISG, onto the Oliver Lake Lateral 1 project to assist with outstanding construction and restoration issues. Caleb Rasmussen, engineer with MOR Engineering, recommended seeding levee tops immediately and supporting the banks to reduce weight on the levee; he advised leaving most rock and spoil piles in place except for spoil placed on CRP ground.

Landowners including Tim Hodgson and others told the trustees they are concerned about crop damages from recently spread spoils. Tim Hodgson said Little Sioux Inter County “does not want the rock piles if there is more mud than rock,” and landowners described the spoils as “gumbo” that will not yield crops. Landowners also expressed concern they could be charged for additional work beyond the original contract.

The Board of Drainage Trustees voted to approve the reclassification report for Oliver Lake Lateral 1 and set a public hearing for May 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Monona County Courthouse basement. Engineers said they will meet with the contractor to discuss spoil piles, plugged tubes and the timing of contract completion and report back to the board. No financial commitments beyond the reclassification action were made at the meeting.

The trustees noted that spoils on CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) ground should be removed but otherwise recommended targeted seeding and bank support to address erosion and compaction issues. The board will hear public comment on May 19 as part of the reclassification process.