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County approves $20,000 plan for critical maintenance on County Ditch 13 ahead of pending transfer
Summary
Scott County authorized the Scott Soil and Water Conservation District to inspect and contract limited obstruction maintenance on County Ditch 13, using existing county lien funds; officials said a petition to transfer the ditch to the Prior Lake Spring Lake Watershed District is expected in three to four months.
The Scott County Board authorized limited, critical obstruction maintenance along County Ditch 13 and directed the Scott Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to act as ditch inspector and manage a contractor to complete the work.
County staff said the initial, full-scope estimate was reduced to about $20,000 by narrowing the work to removing obstructions within the channel, spot-cleaning and seeding or mulching disturbed areas. "Andy has also recommended that anywhere that they remove an obstruction that they do some spot cleaning of around 30 to 50 feet on each side of the obstruction," the presenter said, explaining sediment likely accumulated behind obstructions.
Nut graf: The maintenance is intended as an interim measure while the county and the Prior Lake Spring Lake Watershed District continue due diligence on a petition expected to transfer the ditch into watershed jurisdiction in roughly three to four months. County staff said the watershed district preferred the county complete only critical obstruction work this season because of timing around the pending transfer.
County staff told commissioners the work will focus on the western portion of the ditch and will include minimal buffer tree removal only to access the channel. Officials said the county will not assess property owners for the immediate work; instead, costs will be paid from a maintenance fund supported earlier this year by a county lien on affected properties. "We do not anticipate having to lien the land owners for the cost of this maintenance," the presenter said, noting the lien was placed to build the maintenance fund and facilitate a later transfer of funds to the watershed district.
Commissioners asked whether the three-to-four-month transfer timeline remained on track. Staff said Prior Lake Spring Lake Watershed District staff and engineer were completing due diligence and that the watershed's attorney would coordinate with county counsel, John Cole, on an agreement.
The board moved to adopt Resolution 2026-127 related to the ditch matter and approved it by voice vote. The ditch board then adjourned.
Ending: The county said it will proceed with the limited obstruction work this year and that any future costs or a formal transfer will follow legal review and the interjurisdictional agreement expected between the county and the watershed district.
