Red Lake River 1W1P 2018-2019
Impaired waters in the Red Lake River 1W1P are categorized into management classes to target impaired waters that are closest to meeting water quality standards and to protect unimpaired waters close to becoming impaired. Management areas targeted in 2018 and 2019 include the Little Black River, Black River, County Ditch 96, the Red Lake River between Thief River and Crookston, Burnham Creek, and Grand Marais Creek. Total Suspended Solids is a common impairment in the watershed and it's a priority to restore impaired waters closest to meeting water quality standards and to reduce runoff driven sediment to high-quality unimpaired waters. 64 Grade Stabilization Structures (side water inlets) are identified in the Black River and Little Black River Management Areas to reduce sediment by 640 tons contributing to the impairment on the Red Lake River between CD 96 and Red Lake Falls. A Grade Stabilization project is identified along 1,100 feet of ditch bank near the outlet of CD 96. 102 Grade Stabilization Structures (side water inlets) are planned to be installed in the Grand Marais and Burnham Creek Management Areas that will reduce 1,020 tons of sediment. An Annual Workplan has been developed and approved by the Red Lake River 1W1P Policy Committee to implement other practices including Grazing Management, a Black River Impoundment project, additional Grade Stabilization Structures and Streambank Stabilization projects. Funding will come from a variety of Local, State, and Federal sources.
Annie Felix-Gerth
Watershed Based Funding Pilot 2018 - (a) $4,875,000 the first year and $4,875,000 the second year are for a pilot program to provide performance-based grants to local government units. The grants may be used to implement projects that protect, enhance, and restore surface water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; protect groundwater from degradation; and protect drinking water sources. Projects must be identified in a comprehensive watershed plan developed under the One Watershed, One Plan or metropolitan surface water management frameworks or groundwater plans. Grant recipients must identify a nonstate match and may use other legacy funds to supplement projects funded under this paragraph.
Reduce sediment by 1,893 tons annually with installation of 166 grade stabilization structures and stabilizing 1,100 feet of ditch banks. The sediment reduction goal in the Red Lake River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan is 127,453 tons annually or a 62.2% reduction at the outlet of the Red Lake River.
This project funded implementation of 180 grade control structures (side water inlets and rock-drop grade stabilization) and stabilized 1,450 linear feet of waterway in the Red Lake River Watershed. The work resulted in a reduction of 593 tons/year of sediment. Discrepancies between proposed and actual measurable sediment reduction outcomes are due to new an improved sediment estimator tool that was refined between grant start and close.
Funds covered the costs of staff to design and engineer projects and work with landowners, including targeted outreach to landowners in priority areas. All projects were in priority areas identified in the plan, and addressed sediment reduction, which was identified as a major issue.
All work was completed on time and on budget. Clean Water Funds provided leverage for the partnership to pursue and secure additional federal funds totaling $380,362 from the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency also selected the partnership for the Section 319 small watersheds focus program.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS